DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake University's men's soccer team completed the exhibition portion of its schedule with a 2-1 victory over Drury University on Sunday night at Cownie Soccer Complex.

"Tonight's win was a great way to close out our exhibition games," head coach Gareth Smith said. "It was a toughly contested game that had a real competitive edge in every facet of the game and will help prepare us for our game on the road at Oral Roberts. I was particularly pleased with our ability to build the game from back to middle third as we showed real composure and quality."
 
Drury's Jamie O'Brien opened the scoring in the fourth minute by finding the back of the net off a scramble following a blocked shot. The Bulldogs were quick to respond, however, as Nate Seaberg headed home an equalizer off an assist by Cole Poppen. Drake controlled much of the game from then on, owning 63 percent possession and firing 20 shots to Drury's four. The Bulldogs took the lead for good in the 76^th minute courtesy of an impressive free-kick strike by Poppen into the upper-left corner of the goal.

"We also showed progress in our ability to create a number of goal scoring chances, and while it was 2-1, I think we could have scored two or three more goals," Smith said. "The game-winning free kick from Cole Poppen is one that is worthy of winning any match at this level and is the result of a lot of dedicated practice."
 
Drury was reduced to 10 men in the 28^th minute after Joshua Lewis-Evans was sent off with a red card. This played a key role in Drake's possession advantage.

"From an attacking perspective, the key is we are creating a number of chances and getting into the right areas in the box," Smith said. "Outside of the goal we conceded, we were very well organized and limited their counter attacking opportunities to only a few chances. A strong, disciplined, and mature performance overall which lays a good foundation going into next week's game at Oral Roberts."
 
Drake finishes its exhibition season with a win after earning draws in its previous two matches. The Bulldogs begin the regular season on the road at Oral Roberts on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.