Times-Delphic

Page 6

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

SPORTS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

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STELLAR STATS The team-high number of goals scored on the season by forward Garrett Webb (B4).

MEN’S SOCCER

Encouragement comes from Friday’s draw Short-sided Drake comes up with clutch goal to tie No. 17-ranked Northwestern as time winds down by MARY BESS BOLLING Copy Editor mary.bolling@drake.edu

The Bulldogs returned to action Friday, adding their first tie to this season’s record with a 2-2 double-overtime draw against No. 17 Northwestern. The tie brought the team’s season record to 4-3-1. Playing a man down for more than a half an hour due to a red card, Drake managed to come back from a 2-1 deficit to send the game into overtime. Drake forward Garrett Webb’s (B4) goal in the 86th minute was the highlight for the Bulldogs. “We worked together and stayed focused to come out with a tie, even though the odds were against us,� defender Brian Wurst (B4) said. Wurst said the momentum shifted back and forth throughout the match. “Both teams have a solid offensive talent,� Wurst said. “It was an exciting game to be a part of.� Not only did the teams share possession of the ball, they shared physicality on the field as well. The game ended with 38 fouls combined from both teams. Drake led the Wildcats coming into the second half after a goal scored by midfielder Matt Kuhn (B3) off of a Webb assist. The lead did not last long as the Wildcats tied the score at one goal apiece within the first 15 seconds of the start of the second half. “They came out ready to play and we just let them slip by,� Wurst said. Wurst said the team said that those mistakes can’t happen in the Missouri

Valley Conference Tournament in order to advance further than in past years. “We need to be more consistent throughout the entire game,� Wurst said. “We can’t keep letting down.� After the equalizing goal, the physical game climaxed when Edwards was charged with his red card in the 78th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Northwestern capitalized on Drake’s lack of manpower by taking the lead in the 85th minute. Head Coach Sean Homes expects a dominant performance out of the Bulldogs when the team manages to find a cohesive balance. “There hasn’t been a game yet when all of the guys have brought their ‘A’ games,� Holmes said. “When that happens, it’ll be brutal, just like the game against Oral Roberts.� The team found a taste balance after Webb scored the equalizer goal a mere two minutes after the Wildcats scored. Tactically, Holmes said the team will focus on reducing defensive lapses and capitalizing on scoring opportunities in the coming games to avoid losing the lead again in a match. “I came away from this game with mixed emotions,� Holmes said. “I was both happy and disappointed at the same time.� Defender Calvin Clark (B4) nearly won the game for the Bulldogs with a tough shot in the second overtime. “We played well in the first half,� Holmes said. “I was proud that we held on and battled because, being down a man, we could have let it go.� The team’s senior leadership has had to

SPIKE’S ARMY

BARRACKS

photo by JEFF GLAZE | Photo Editor

DEFENDER NICK FOSTER (B3) takes control of the ball in the Bulldogs’ 2-0 win over DePaul on Sept. 1 at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

deal with the pressures and expectations of a preseason national ranking, two players on the Hermann Trophy Watch List and the surprising victory over No. 7 Indiana early in the season. “Last year, these guys led the team,�

Holmes said. “But there was never really pressure – we were almost invincible. This season, we’ve got targets on our backs.�

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Fall Invitational kicks season off

The Drake women’s soccer team will play host to instate rival University of Iowa this Wednesday in a huge matchup for the Bulldogs. Drake has not lost in its last four games heading into the match and has winning three out of its last four games. It is important to go out there and show some support for your Bulldogs as they try to pull off a victory over the Hawkeyes. A win in this game would be a huge confidence booster heading into Missouri Valley Coneference play and support in the stands could give the team that extra edge it needs. Spike would appreciate it if you head out to Cownie Soccer Complex, this Wednesday night at 7 p.m., to show some Bulldog pride before you head to The Library for some late-night nachos.

U O Y Y U B

! Y L IF ((

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor TM

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JESSICA LABARTE (HS3) runs down a forehand baseline shot during the Drake Fall Invitational that took place this weekend at the Roger T. Knapp Tennis Center.

Young Bulldogs nearly unstoppable in dominating performance at home debut by TAD UNRUH

Staff Writer tad.unruh@drake.edu

The Roger T. Knapp Tennis Center almost seems like an impregnable medieval fortress. Many have tried to overthrow the Drake women’s tennis team that rules over it, but most return home in winless fashion. Last year in the Knapp, the team was almost unstoppable, compiling a 6-1 home record. The Drake Fall Invitational Tournament kicked off this weekend for the bulldogs’ first chance to defend the Big Blue House. The Bulldogs jumped into the first day and walked away unscathed with a 13-0 combined singles and doubles record. It was a solid start to a fulfilling weekend. Despite the record, Head Coach Urska Juric felt the Bulldogs were anxious to get on the court and play. “There’s just something about that first tennis match and first tournament; you’ll always be a little nervous,� Juric said. “But the key to getting where we want to be is playing more matches.� Defending the home turf for the first tournament really gave the team a sense of pride and comfort regarding the rest of their season. The second day came with great expectation following a staggeringly

successful first day. The team didn’t disappoint the second day, adding two titles to their collective score. Earlynn Lauer (AS2) won the singles C-flight beating Ellie Nixon of Iowa State. The B-flight doubles was also kept in the Bulldog family with a strong showing from Ali Patterson (AS1) and Amanda Aragon (B2). This was Patterson’s first college tournament and she didn’t want to disappoint. Patterson wanted to come out of the gates with guns blazing and did so throughout the first two days. “I think it’s all about confidence, just confidence in yourself and that your team is behind you,� Patterson said. The third day culminated with a second consecutive A-flight doubles win for Gabby Demos (B2). This is the second year in a row she has won it, last year with Aragon and this year with Slovenian exchange student Manca Krizman (AS1). For the Bulldogs, there was no better way to kick off the season with a solid showing, defending the team’s home courts at the tennis center. Juric said she was satisfied with the team’s opening tournament, and sees it as a solid foundation for the year ahead. “We were solid for the first tournament, but we still have work to do,� Juric said.

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