Sports Analysis
As your Times-Delphic sports editor, I feel it is my duty to educate on all that is happening on campus, so here is what the fall sports roster looks like.
Football
For those who may not know, Drake is looking for its third consecutive Pioneer League Championship and trip to the Football College Subdivision playoffs, in which the Bulldogs lost in the second round to Tarleton State University.
With a new head coach, Joe Woodley, and a coaching staff of all Iowa State University and University of Iowa retired players, the Bulldogs have the resources to be successful. This is despite roster changes happening in the offseason, such as junior Javon Murray transferring to the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh to become a Titan, and starting quarterback Luke Bailey graduating. Although there is no telling how the season might pan out, the Bulldogs have five home games to look forward to between Aug. 28 and Thanksgiving.
The first game of the season will be on Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Drake Stadium and is free for all students with a ticket against the Upper Iowa University Peacocks. The Bulldogs will then be home again on Oct. 4 for family weekend and then again on Oct. 20 against the University of Davidson. Drake’s last home game will be against Morehead State University on Nov. 22 and will be the determining game for the Bulldogs’ season, as it could punch a ticket into the FCS playoffs.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s and women’s soccer teams have no shortage of talent that has already kicked off for the year.
The men’s team will play against Marquette University in Milwaukee on Aug. 28 after playing Houston Christian University and Incarnate Word, both on the road in Texas. The team will return home on Aug. 31 to play Graceland University before heading into Missouri Valley Conference play. Bulldog fans can look forward to key games against DePaul University and Western Michigan University.
Sophomore Tomas Butkovic will be returning for the Bulldogs as goalkeeper alongside returning powerhouses such as forward Preston Kipnusu and junior midfielder Jackson Kirsch.
Women’s Soccer
On the women’s side, the new and returning Bulldogs look forward to returning back to campus after three away games, which will be kicked off by a visit to the Iowa State University Cyclones on their home field.
The team will welcome competition before traveling to play the University of Kansas and Butler University prior to the Bulldogs entering MVC play. Drake will host its next home game on Sept. 3 against the University of Omaha before hosting SDSU on Sept. 10.
The team will be led by junior goalkeeper Addie Ford with returners such as junior midfielder Angela Gutierrez and senior midfielder Lauren Kullberg.
Overall, the Bulldog fans in Des Moines have their choice of entertainment in the first few weeks and months of school that will cruise them right into basketball season. Make sure to keep an eye out for the Drake Athletics social media posts and email chains for game themes and special events.
