The Basics
Drake men's soccer returns to Mediacom Stadium for its penultimate homestand in Valley play. The Bulldogs welcome Evansville to Des Moines on Oct. 11 and Bowling Green a week later on Oct. 18.
 
Bulldog Breakdown
Drake had just one game last week which resulted in a 0-0 draw at UIC. Last Friday's result marked the second scoreless tie of the season (vs. Kansas City, Sep. 9). The Bulldogs' current 10-game unbeaten streak is the longest in the 38 years of Drake men's soccer by three contests.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Tomas Butkovic earned a Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week nomination after recording a season high four saves and helping the Drake defense keep its opponent scoreless for the fourth time in the Bulldogs' last five games.
 
Key Players
Jackson Kirsch – 9 PTS, 3 G, 3 AST
Preston Kipnusu – 7 PTS, 3 G, AST
Eskil Gjerde – 4 PTS, G, 2 A
Crew Alvarez – 3 PTS, G, A
Barrett Kitts – 3 PTS, G, A
Tomas Butkovic – 26 SV, .788 SV%
 
Scouting Evansville
The 2025 Evansville Purple Aces men's soccer season has been solid with an overall record of 4-3-5 and undefeated 2-0 start in Valley play. The Aces' non-conference slate included a 2-0 loss at No. 15 North Carolina before eventually taking down Bowling Green and Western Michigan in MVC action. Most recently, Evansville fell 1-0 at Northwestern.
 
The Bulldogs lead Evansville 22-13-2 all-time. Drake has won two straight meetings after the Purple Aces rattled off three wins in a row. The Bulldogs are looking for their fifth straight home victory over UE.
 
Robbie Tarver is in his third season leading the Evansville men's soccer squad with a 19-18-12 record during his tenure.
 
Key Players
Andres Escudero – 13 PTS, 6 G, A
Devin Shepherd – 7 PTS, 3 G, A
Chase Ricker – 5 PTS, G, 3 A
Tancredi Fadda – 4 PTS, 2 G
Martin Wurschmidt – 4 PTS, 2 G
Michael Mroz – 30 SV, .732 SV%
 
Scouting Bowling Green
Bowling Green is currently 4-6-2 overall with an 0-2 mark in MVC play. The Falcons will look to improve upon their 2-4-1 road record when they visit Des Moines. The Falcons' non-MVC slate included losses to Michigan and No. 18 Kentucky, plus wins over Michigan State and DePaul. The Bowling Green MVC schedule started with defeats via Evansville and Belmont.
 
Bowling Green leads the all-time series 0-2-1 with the only draw coming on the road.
 
Eric Nichols is in his 17th season at the helm of the Falcon men's soccer team. He is 135-125-46 during his BG career and 194-147-48 all-time including a 4-year stint at Ohio Dominican.
 
Key Players
Trace Terry – 13 PTS, 6 G, A
Bennett Painter – 11 PTS, 4 G, 3 A
Saul Rios – 2 PTS, G
Andrew Shaffer – 2 PTS, 2 A
Enzo Gil – 50 SV, .820 SV%
 
Up Next
Drake will return to Des Moines for two straight home contests when Evansville (Oct. 11) and Bowling Green (Oct. 18) come to town.