The Basics
Drake men's soccer returns to Des Moines for their first home game of the 2023 season before heading back out on the road. The Bulldogs will host Western Illinois on Friday, Sep. 1 at 7 p.m. and then visit Kansas City on Monday, Sep. 4.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake performed well but could not put a tally in the win column over their first week of the regular season. The Bulldogs opened the year with a back-and-forth loss at Marquette (8/24). In their next game, Drake could not capitalize on a stellar Kevin Qi performance in goal in a 2-0 loss to Wisconsin (8/27).
 
Redshirt senior J.P. Pascarella and true freshman Jackson Kirsch have both notched two total points this season with one goal apiece. Austin Holtebeck has also entered the stat sheet with the Bulldogs' lone assist on the season.
 
In goal, Kevin Qi has played all 180 minutes for Drake this season, with eight saves and five goals allowed.

Scouting Western Illinois
The Leathernecks enter the weekend with an 0-2 record of their own. Both of WIU's, the season opener at Northern Illinois and second match at Green Bay, ended in 1-0 tallies.
 
As a team, Western Illinois has failed to log any goals, assists, or individual points. Diego Porras leads the team with four shots, one of which was on goal. In goal, Youssou Ouendeno has allowed just two goals and recorded eight saves.
 
Drake leads the all-time series with Western Illinois by a 15-7-2 margin. The Bulldogs have won the last four installments in the series from 2017-21. Last season's match in Macomb, Ill. was canceled due to darkness.

Scouting Kansas City
Kansas City also brings an 0-2 record into this weekend. The Roos began the season with a 4-0 loss at Utah Valley before drawing with MVC foe Bradley in a scoreless contest. Kansas City will host No. 18 Missouri State, another fellow MVC squad, on tonight before welcoming Drake on Monday.
 
Like Western Illinois, the Roos have also not recorded a goal, assist, or individual point. Julien Le Bourdoulous' seven shots and two shots on goal lead the Roos' roster.
 
Drake also leads their all-time series with Kansas City by a 17-5-2 margin. The Bulldogs have won the last 11 meetings with the Roos including last season's 1-0 victory in Kansas City.
 
Up Next
Drake's non-conference schedule will continue on Saturday, Sep. 9 with a trip to Tulsa before hosting Omaha on Wednesday, Sep. 13.