The Basics
Drake men's soccer is set to start a two-game home swing this weekend. The Bulldogs will host MVC-newcomer Belmont on Saturday, Oct. 15 at noon. Drake will then host Bradley on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
AJ Franklin leads the Bulldog offense with 11 total points on five goals and one assist. Franklin also leads the team with 25 shots and 10 shots on goal. Three of his scores have been game winners. Other key contributors include Sam Thornton with two goals and two assists, and Louis Yuill with two scores.
 
Jonathan Burke has been the lone goalkeeper to log minutes for Drake. In nine starts, Burke has amassed 42 saves and an .857 save percentage while allowing just seven goals.
 
Senior Saturday
This weekend's match against Belmont will take place on Drake's Senior Day. The Bulldogs will recognize a handful of graduate students as well as a trio of undergraduate seniors.
 
Scouting Belmont
Belmont enters the weekend with a 5-2-4 overall record and 2-1-2 mark in Valley play. The Bruins have not won since beating SIUE on Sept. 24 with a pair of draws and a loss at MVC-leader Missouri State happening most recently. Belmont currently sits just one spot in front of Drake in the league standings.
 
Belmont's features a balanced offensive attack with six different goal scorers this season. Case Cox leads the Bruins with four goals while Michael Saunders and Liam O'Brien have netted three. O'Brien has been the most aggressive attacker with a team-high 22 total shots. Jansen Wilson has recorded six assists for the Bruins.
 
Nate Logan is the only goalie to see the field for Belmont this season. Logan has started all 11 games and made 34 saves while allowing 12 goals.
 
Belmont is led by fourth-year head coach David Costa. The Bruins' head coach has posted a 30-22-9 record while in charge of the Belmont squad.
 
Drake and Belmont have faced off on two previous occasions with the Bulldogs winning both contests. Drake won most recently with a 1-0 neutral site victory. The Dogs also annihilated Belmont 7-1 in 2000.
 
Scouting Bradley
Bradley is currently 3-6-3 overall this season and 1-3-1 in MVC play. The Braves have tied twice since beating Drake 1-0 in Peoria for their last win.
 
Bradley is led by a trio of goal scorers including Pepe Mellado, Patrick Fishburne, and Kaloyan Somov, all of which have logged two goals this season. Mellado is also one of four Braves to record multiple assists. Nick Burke has been the primary goalkeeper for Bradley this year with 45 saves and 16 goals allowed.
 
The Braves are led by head coach Jim DeRose. DeRose is in his 27th season at the leader of the Bradley men's soccer program and has posted an overall record of 260-216-60.
 
Up Next
Drake will hit the road for their final two matches away from home. The Bulldogs will travel to Evansville for a tilt with the Purple Aces on Sunday, Oct. 23 before visiting league-leading and nationally ranked Missouri State on Friday, Oct. 28.