DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake University men's soccer team dropped its home-opener to Milwaukee, 2-0, on Monday night at Cownie Soccer Complex. The Panthers drew first blood with a headed goal in the 68th minute before adding another score late in the 90th minute.

Drake controlled most of the game, owning 60 percent of the possession and creating a 14-6 advantage in shot attempts, a 5-3 edge in shots on goal, and an 8-2 margin in corner kick opportunities.

"I think our performance was very good and deserved more from the game," Drake head coach Gareth Smith said. "We dominated the game with 60 percent possession and created 14 attempts on goal, which is more than enough for us to win most games. However, we need to be more clinical in the final third. We need to score when we are dominating or we leave the opposition with a chance to get into the game, and that's what happened tonight."

The Bulldogs created quality opportunities in the box, including a shot from inside the 6-yard box in the 64th minute that rolled just wide left. Austin Smythe was active in his 33 minutes off the bench for Drake, unleashing a game-best four shots and forcing a save on one attempt. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Luke Anderson made the second start of his career and was credited with a save.

"Tonight was more about our attacking players not executing than our back line conceding," Smith said. "Outside the action for the goal I thought our back five was very good in managing the counter from Milwaukee. This is a good performance to build on that we need to turn into a positive result."

The Bulldogs return to action with another home game on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. against UNLV.