TULSA, Okla. – The Drake University men's soccer team found opportunities but dropped a road match to Oral Roberts, 1-0 at Case Soccer Complex on Friday, Sept. 2. Drake moved to 1-1-0 overall while Oral Roberts improved 1-1-1 early in the season.
"I am pleased with our performance tonight," head coach
Pat Flinn said. "Oral Roberts lost two games last season and has a really talented, experienced group. The boys competed admirably and did enough to get a result. Credit to our leaders (
Declan Watters,
Bradan Allen,
Sam Thornton and
Louis Yuill) for setting a real example that our younger players can begin supporting as they gain more experience. We can take a lot out of this game."
Thornton sent a shot to the upper left corner that was snagged by ORU goalkeeper Jeremy Coste in the 14
th minute. Allen checked in and ripped a shot out to the right during the 27
th minute.
The Golden Eagles broke through in the 33
rd minute when Drake goalkeeper
Jonathan Burke left the 18-yard box in an attempt to scoop the ball kicked to the top of the box by Felipe D'Agostini. Carlos Santamaria beat Burke to the ball and connected on a shot that Bulldog freshman defender Ryder Barret couldn't track down before it rolled into the back of the net. Drake trailed at halftime, 1-0.
The Bulldogs came out firing to begin the second half. Not even a minute into the second frame, Segura aimed for the top right as Coste was there to secure the ball. Coste earned another one of his four saves when
Braeden Beard tried to chip the ball over the head of Coste in the 75
th minute.
A shot by Thornton at the 87 minute mark targeted for the bottom left side of the net proved to be Drake's final chance.
Drake men's soccer turns its focus to Omaha for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Mavericks on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
NOTES
- ORU outshot Drake, 13-11 including 5-4 for shots on goal.
- Jonathan Burke has made four saves in back-to-back games.
- Both teams had seven corner kicks.
- Drake men's soccer still leads the all-time series with Oral Roberts, 6-4-1.
- ORU has won the last three matches against Drake.