DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake men's soccer improved to 6-2-4 overall and 4-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play with a 2-0 victory over Bradley this evening. The Bulldogs' win avenged an earlier loss to the Braves as Bradley fell to 3-8-3 overall and 1-4-1 in MVC action.
 
Both teams took the first third of the first half to settle in before Drake exploded into action. In the 17th minute, Louis Yuill threaded a pass into the box towards Sam Thornton. The grad transfer corralled the pass and fired a strike into the back of the net for his second goal is as many games, and fourth score this season.
 
Drake carried their 1-0 lead through the remainder of the first half.
 
After the halftime break, Bradley attempted to ramp up their pressure, but the Bulldogs maintained control. The Braves logged three more shots in the final 45 minutes but could not keep up with Drake.
 
In the final minute of play, with the win all but confirmed, AJ Franklin collected a throw in on the left sideline and matriculated towards the goal. Franklin then put a move on a pair of Bradley defenders and fired a laser into the top right corner of the goal to reach the final 2-0 score.
 
Drake outshot Bradley 17-7 overall and 7-2 in shots on target. The Bulldogs also attempted eight corner kicks to Bradley's one.
 
Franklin led the Bulldogs with six total shots followed by Thornton and Damian Segura with three. Drake goalkeeper Jonathan Burke recorded two saves while earning his fifth shutout of the year.
 
"Bradley is such a competitive group," Drake head coach Pat Flinn said after the win. "We knew this was going to be a 90-minute battle. I'm proud of the team's willingness to grow from our first match at Bradley and do more to create chances tonight. AJ [Franklin] and Sam [Thornton] led out attack and deserved their goals. Credit to both Bradan Allen and Ryder Barrett, who both probably don't get enough credit, but were flawless again tonight, especially in key defensive moments down the stretch."
 
Drake will start their final road swing of the regular season in their next time on the pitch. The Bulldogs will visit Evansville on Sunday, Oct. 23.
 
 
NOTES

• AJ Franklin's six shots marked a new season-high for the graduate student.
• Drake's win, their sixth, matched the Bulldogs' total from a season ago.
• Drake also set a new single-match team-high with seven shots on goal.