SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake men's soccer team suffered its second 1-0 loss in as many matches on Wednesday afternoon. The No. 2 seed Bulldogs battled Bowling Green in the MVC Tournament semifinals but conceded a late goal to effectively end their season.
 
A competitive first half saw Drake control much of the tempo with four shots to Bowling Green's one. Despite the positive momentum, the Bulldogs were unable to cash in on any of their four attempts as the first 45 minutes expired scoreless.
 
That trend continued after the halftime hiatus as each team continued to feel each other out. Drake turned up their aggressiveness even more, eventually outshooting the Falcons 8-5 in the second half, and 12-6 in the match. The Bulldogs were still kept off the board as Bowling Green keeper Brendan Graves recorded five saves in the contest.
 
Finally, in the waning minutes of the match, Bowling Green struck. Gus Peacock dished to Trace Terry deep in their attacking end. Terry was able to roll one by Drake's Tomas Butkovic into the bottom corner of the net for his 12th goal of the year (81') and what proved to be the game winner.
 
Sophomore Jackson Kirsch, a Second Team All-MVC choice, led Drake's offensive attack with three goals, all of which on goal. Eskil Gjerde, J.P. Pascarella, and Preston Kipnusu each tried two shots. Butkovic made four saves for Drake.
 
Drake did their best to rally over the final eight minutes and change, but the 1-0 difference held firm as the Falcons earned the result and advanced to Saturday's MVC Tournament Championship match. Bowling Green will take on Evansville, the No. 5 seed in the MVC field, in the title bout. The Purple Aces upset top seeded Missouri State, the hosts, in the opposite semifinal match.
 
"Congratulations to Bowling Green," Drake head coach Pat Flinn said. "we wish them the best of luck on Saturday."
 
The Bulldogs end the 2024 season with a record of 9-5-3 overall and 5-1-2 in conference play. Despite falling short in the regular season and tournament championship matches, the Bulldogs produced a spectacular run through their schedule. Drake overcame some key injuries during the course of the season and outplayed their eighth-place positioning in the MVC Preseason Poll.
 
"It was a heck of a season," Flinn concluded." We're gutted that it's over, but proud of what we were able to accomplish. Just like last year, we will turn the page and start trying to get better again. We will be back."