ST. LOUIS – The Drake University men's soccer team was picked third in the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer preseason coaches' poll, the MVC office announced Thursday, Aug. 22.
Three Bulldogs – senior goalkeeper
Jared Brown, junior forward
Leroy Enzugusi, and senior midfielder
Cole Poppen – were named to the preseason all-conference team.
Brown earned All-MVC honors last season after leading the conference in save percentage (.848) and saves (95). Poppen led the MVC with eight assists a year ago, and Enzugusi scored a team-high eight goals. Both players earned All-MVC accolades.
Drake welcomes back seven starters from last season's 7-7-3 (1-3-2 MVC) team. The Bulldogs will also add seven Division I transfers to bolster their experience and depth.
Head coach
Gareth Smith begins his fifth campaign at the helm of Drake soccer after serving for six seasons as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs. Smith led the Bulldogs to the MVC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2015.
Drake hosts Drury University at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday to cap its three-game exhibition schedule. The Bulldogs begin their regular season on the road at Oral Roberts on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
2019 MVC Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Points
1. Missouri State (4) 32
2. Loyola (1) 31
3. Drake (1) 22
4. Bradley 18
5. Evansville 12
6. Valparaiso 11
