The Drake men's soccer team heads east to Loves Park, Ill. to take on the Loyola Ramblers in its season opener Sunday Feb. 27, kick-off set for 2 p.m.
Drake and Loyola have a record of 5-5-5 in their history. Loyola won the first match-up of the 2019 season, 2-1 in double overtime, before ending in a 3-3 draw in the second meeting.
The Ramblers finished 11-5-4 in the 2019 season and took home their first ever Missouri Valley Conference Championship. Loyola was picked to finish second this season in the MVC coaches' poll and will open its season after going 1-1-1 in exhibition games.
The Bulldogs are returning to the field after going 8-9-1 in the 2019 season and being picked to finish third this season in the MVC coaches' poll. Drake made it to the semifinals of the MVC Championship in 2019.
Returning for the Bulldogs are senior
Leroy Enzugusi and redshirt-senior
Lucas Bartlett, who were both named preseason All-MVC.
Enzugusi was the only MVC student-athlete to be selected in the MLS SuperDraft, chosen by Nashville SC with the 86th overall pick.
Bartlett, one of the Bulldog's' top defender's will manage the backline, alongside goalkeeper Jacob Brown. Both missed a majority of the 2019 season due to injury.
Following this weekend's season opener, the Bulldogs return home to host Missouri State March 4 at 2 p.m. inside Drake Stadium.