The Basics
Drake men's soccer will be back in action this week with a pair of non-conference bouts. The Bulldogs are set for the nightcap in Thursday's double-header as Central Arkansas visits Des Moines (7:30 p.m.) before heading west to take on Creighton in Omaha (4 p.m.)
 
Bulldog Breakdown
Last year, Drake earned its first regular season conference title in program history, settling for the No. 2 seed in the MVC Tournament via tiebreakers.
 
Eskil Gjerde highlighted Drake's postseason award winners with his second MVC Midfielder of the Year honor in as many seasons. Gjerde, along with Cole Schrage, were named to the Missouri Valley Conference First Team. Drake also had a trio of Second Team performers including Tomas Butkovic, Sam DeLong, and Preston Kipnusu. Standout rookie Crew Alvarez was included on the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team.
 
The Bulldogs landed in second in the 2026 MVC Preseason Coaches' Poll, only behind league favorite Western Michigan. Drake, along with Evansville, earned one first-place vote. Butkovic, DeLong, Kipnusu, and Schrage were named to the 2026 Preseason All-MVC team.
 
Key Players
Preston Kipnusu | 9 PTS, 4 G, A, 30 SH, 15 SOG
Jackson Kirsch | 9 PTS, 3 G, 3 A, 14 SH, 7 SOG
Crew Alvarez | 8 PTS, 2 G, 4 A, 19 SH, 11 SOG
Tomas Butkovic | 8-2-7 W/L, 45 SV, 13 GA, .776 SV%


Scouting Central Arkansas
The Bears of Central Arkansas will attempt to improve upon a disappointing 2025 campaign in which they went 4-10-2 overall and 3-2-1 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Bears ended their season with four losses in their last five bouts, their only win coming over Queens on Senior Day. UCA's 2025 run ended in the first round of the ASUN Tournament with a 2-1 loss to Stetson.
 
Drake leads Central Arkansas 8-4-1 in the two teams' all-time series. The Bulldogs won the most recent battle in 2018 after two straight Bears victories. Drake will be looking to add to its 4-2 home record on Thursday night.
 
Key Players
Maxim Sheenkov | 10 PTS, 4 G, 2 A, 12 SH, 8 SOG
Vaclav Kozeny | 5 PTS, 2 G, A, 14 SH, 9 SOG
Kyle Schwartz | 2 PTS, G, 4 SH, 3 SOG
Merrick Cook | 3-2-1 W/L, 45 SV, 12 GA, .789 SV%
 
Scouting Creighton
Creighton failed to qualify for the 2025 Big East Tournament despite an 8-4-4 overall record and 4-1-2 conference mark. The Bluejays split their final three decision with a 3-1 win over Butler, 1-1 draw over No. 23 Seton Hall, and 1-0 loss to No. 19 Akron.
 
Drake has not had as much success against Creighton in the past as the Bluejays hold a 16-3-5 advantage. The Bulldogs have lost the last nine of the last 10 meetings with a scoreless draw mixed in. Drake is seeking its first victory over Creighton since a 3-1 home win in 2009.
 
Key Players
Matthew Reed | 10 PTS, 3 G, 4 A, 10 SH, 6 SOG
Bautista Rossi | 8 PTS, 3 G, 2 A, 24 SH, 9 SOG
Brian Edelman | 4 PTS, 2 G, 8 SH, 2 SOG
Matthew Hudson | 8-4-4 W/L, 53 SV, 16 GA, .768 SV%
 
Up Next
Drake will return to Des Moines for the first two games of a four-game homestand. The Bulldogs are set to host Green Bay in another Drake double-header (Aug. 26) and NCAA Division III foe Wartburg College (Aug. 29).