Drake swept the Missouri Valley Conference player of the week awards after stellar performances by junior Thomas Ostrander and redshirt junior Jordan Kadlec last week. Ostrander earned his second MVC Offensive Player of the Week award this season, while the Bulldogs’ steady goalkeeper received MVC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time.

It was déjà vu for Ostrander, who received the recognition just two weeks ago. Ostrander was monumental in Drake’s 1-0-1 record last week. He recorded five shots against 2009 NCAA tournament foe Western Illinois, and scored the game-winner in the final minute to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 victory. Ostrander then scored Drake’s only goal in a 1-1 tie against No. 12 UC Irvine last Saturday.

Kadlec has been a pleasant surprise for Head Coach Sean Holmes this season. He was the hero against UC Irvine, tying a career-high with nine saves and holding the nation’s seventh ranked offense to just one goal in 110 minutes of action. Kadlec collided with an Anteater player in the second overtime, and was down on the ground for a few minutes with a laceration to his forehead. He refused to come out of the game, and held strong to help Drake earn a draw.

Kadlec has 62 saves on the season while posting a 1.45 goals against average. His 6.2 saves per game ranks tops in the Valley and seventh in the country.

Ostrander leads the Bulldogs with four goals, eight points and two game-winners. He is second on the team with 19 shots and nine shots on goal.

Drake will open up conference play this Saturday when it hosts Evansville. The Bulldogs defeated the Purple Aces in the MVC tournament championship last year.

Photos: Courtesy of Drake Athletics