Bulldogs fall 3-1 on the road

Photo: File photo

Defensive oversights hindered the Drake men’s soccer team last Friday against the Wisconsin Badgers in Chicago, as the Bulldogs fell 3-1 to the Big Ten competitor at the UIC Soccer Classic.

“It was a frustrating game because I thought we played quite well,” head coach Sean Holmes said.

The Badgers scored early in the game, netting a goal in just the 18th minute. The Bulldogs’ defense managed to hold off a powerful Wisconsin offense for another 27 minutes, until Badger Joey Tennyson extended the lead to 2-0 in the 44th minute.

“We created enough opportunities to be competitive, but our defense is young and sometimes we make big mistakes,” Holmes said.

The final defensive mistake occurred in the 59th minute as the Badgers pushed past the Drake defense to expand the lead to 3-0.  The teams combined for just 10 shots, with the Bulldogs attempting four.

Warding off the Badgers’ offense, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Rich Gallagher boasted a save in the match, as did Wisconsin’s keeper.

Despite competitive play, the Bulldogs didn’t get on the board until the 61st minute of the game, with senior Charlie Schwartz scoring the lone goal, thwarting the Badgers’ hopes for a shutout.  The goal, Schwartz’s third of the season, wasn’t enough to revive the Bulldog offense, and the teams traded possession until the final whistle.

Also critical for Drake moving forward is senior leadership, with Schwartz, Thomas Ostrander and Matt Kuhn stepping up to lead the team.  Now 4-2-1 on the season, Holmes said the Bulldogs plan to improve their defense and “focus on concentration” as the season progresses.

WATCH THEM IN ACTION

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21
vs DePaul
Cownie Soccer Complex, 7 p.m.