The Basics
Drake men's soccer will split its next two games between their home field and a road venue. The Bulldogs will travel to Milwaukee for a date with Marquette (Aug. 28) before welcoming Graceland to Mediacom Stadium (Aug. 31).
 
Bulldog Breakdown
The Bulldogs overcame some early adversity in the first week of their 2025 schedule to start the year 1-0. Drake's initially scheduled opener at Houston Christian was postponed and eventually canceled due to thunderstorms. The weather-related adjustment then made the Dogs' next matchup at Incarnate Word their de facto season debut.
 
Drake won their bout with UIW by a 2-1 margin with goals from Eskil Gjerde and Barrett Kitts. Both Bulldog scores came in the first half and Drake's defense had enough juice to hold throughout the remainder of the match and secure the dub.
 
Last year, Drake finished with a 9-5-3 overall record and an impressive 5-1-2 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play, good for second place in the MVC. The Bulldogs scored 27 goals (1.59 per game) while conceding 18 (1.06 per game), outshot opponents 167 to 125, and led the conference in penalty-kick efficiency—6 goals on 6 attempts.
 
The Bulldogs were selected as the preseason favorite in the 2025 MVC Preseason Poll released earlier this week. Bulldog standouts Ryder Barrett, Preston Kipnusu, and Eskil Gjerde were named to the Preseason All-MVC Team. Gjerde added that honor to his inclusion on the United Soccer Coaches Defenders to Watch list.
 
Key Players
Eskil Gjerde – 2 points, goal
Barrett Kitts – 2 points, goal
Preston Kipnusu – 1 point, assist
Jackson Kirsch – 1 point, assist
Tomas Butkovic – 2 saves
 
Scouting Marquette
Marquette closed 2024 with a 6-7-4 overall record and a 2-4-2 mark in Big East play. The season started hot with back-to-back wins over Drexel and Marist. Statistically, the team matched opponents with 21 goals, outshot them 187 to 198, and converted all four of its penalty kicks. Marquette was shut out seven times over the remainder of the 2024 season as their campaign ended with a 5-2 loss to Creighton, eliminating them from postseason contention.
 
The Golden Eagles are currently 1-0-1 in 2025 with a draw against fellow Missouri Valley Conference member Bradley in their season opener and a 2-1 home win over North Florida in their most recent match.
 
Key Players
Mateo Stoka – 4 points, 2 goals
Joey Buchanan – 4 shots, SOG
Antonio Costabile – 4 shots, SOG
Mitchell Dryden – 4 shots, SOG
 
The Golden Eagles hold a 9-2 advantage in the all-time series with Drake. Marquette has won the last four meetings including one in Des Moines. Drake's last win over the Golden Eagles came in 2009 at home.
 
Scouting Graceland
The Yellowjackets of Graceland University went 7-5-5 overall and 3-5-3 in conference action last season. GU started their 2024 campaign 5-0-3 before finishing their schedule in up-and-down fashion.
 
Graceland has started their 2025 slate with a pair of Indiana road losses including a 4-2 defeat at Bethel and 1-0 result at Grace.
 
Key Players
Nesta Kofi – 2 points, goal
Ashton Adrian – 2 points, goal
Yuta Hirano – 6 saves
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs' next game will be back at home as the nightcap of a Drake men's and women's double header against Omaha (Sep. 3). Drake will then hit the road for their next two matches with trips to Tulsa (Sep. 6) and Tulsa (Sep. 9).