EVANSVILLE – After ending a winless skid earlier this week at Belmont, the University of Evansville men's soccer team will return to Missouri Valley Conference action on Saturday as the Purple Aces will take on Drake in Des Moines, Iowa.
UE at Drake (Saturday, 5 p.m.): Live Stats |
Drake website
The Aces, who currently sit fourth in the league standings with a 2-2-1 record, are 7-6-2 overall, which is the best record for the program since 2013. The team is coming off one of its most impressive results of the season, tying Loyola, which is ranked as high as sixth in some national polls.
Jared Robinson made his return to the scoresheet in that 1-1 draw with the Ramblers, and the senior out of Powell, Ohio, is currently tied for fourth in the Valley with five goals on the season. Ian McGrath actually leads the Aces in goals with six.
Jesse Stafford Lacey, who provided the assist on Robinson's goal, has five helpers so far in his freshman campaign, and Zac Blaydes, who registered his first goal of the year in Tuesday's victory at Belmont, ranks second in the MVC with six assists.
Meanwhile, Frederik Reimer has starred defensively for the Aces, and the 2-0 decision over the Bruins earlier this week gave the freshman goalkeeper his fifth clean sheet of the season, which was the most for a UE player since Eric Teppen in 2012. He's had plenty of help as well, predominantly from the centerback pairing of Chris Shuck and Trevor Baum. There's been a number of fullbacks that have also been involved in UE's defensive efforts, including the duo of Simon Waever and Ryan Koenig, which has contributed offensively as well with a combined three goals and four assists.
Meanwhile, Drake will be aiming to extend its unbeaten run to three matches. The Bulldogs (4-8-1, 1-3-1 MVC) are coming off a draw with Missouri State after picking up a 1-0 win over Bradley earlier this month.
Kickoff from Cownie Soccer Complex is slated for 5 p.m.
NOTES: Only one player, former UE star Mark Anthony Gonzalez, has scored more goals in a season than Ian McGrath this year (6), since 2009 … UE is 11-15-2 all-time against Drake … Last season, the Aces dropped a 3-1 decision to the Bulldogs at Arad McCutchan Stadium … The last win for UE in the series was a year prior in Des Moines as Dylan Terry, Gonzalez, Jared Robinson and Charlie Macias found the scoresheet in a 4-1 UE victory … Drake is the only opponent the Aces have ever played from the state of Iowa … Dating back to 1979, UE is 4-5-0, with the last win a 2-0 decision over Notre Dame in 1990.
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