The Drake University men's soccer team topped Bradley, 2-1, in Peoria, Ill. Saturday evening.
Despite the Braves (2-9-4) scoring in the 14th minute to take the early lead, the Bulldogs (6-4-0) managed to come out on top.
"An important three points on the road against a very combative Bradley and a great display of character to bounce back from a slow start. Our intensity wasn't at the level we needed it to be in the first 15 minutes and we suffered for it. Credit to the guys as we maintained our composure and worked our way back into the game," said head coach
Gareth Smith. "Once we settled into a rhythm with our possession and made better decisions we started to create good opportunities."
Pepe Mellado scored for Bradley after Jack Douglas attempted a shot that fired off the crossbar. Mellado found the rebound and headed it in the net behind redshirt-freshman keeper
Quinn Millerd.
Millerd recorded his second career start. He faced 10 shots and recorded two saves in his 90 minutes in net.
Less than 10 minutes after Bradley took the lead, senior
Juan Louis scored 12 yards out from the goal. Senior
Bradan Allen and sophomore
Cory Pitlik were credited with the asists.
Louis' goal was his fifth this season and he leads the Bulldogs for most this season.
Five minutes after the Bulldogs tied the game, senior
Louis Yuill took a corner kick for Drake. He got the ball into the box at the feet of
Absalom Solorio-Villalpando, who then passed to
Erik Fahner. Fahner then found Yuill who scored to put Drake up 2-1.
Smith said, "Our two goal were very well constructed through good progressive possession and excellent finishes by
Juan Louis and
Louis Yuill. Outside the first 15 minutes we put in a great shift and solid performance and showed that we have enough character and quality to work through and respond to difficult phases of a game."
Bradley attempted to score before halftime, but were unsuccessful.
The Bulldogs out-shot Bradley 8-3 on goal. Drake received two corner kicks compared to the Braves 10.
"We now focus on recovery and turn our attention to preparations for Loyola next week," said Smith.
The Bulldogs return to Des Moines to take on Loyola on Saturday Oct. 23.
