DES MOINES, Iowa – Ian McGrath has been one of the most important players for the University of Evansville men's soccer team this season, and that couldn't have been more true on Saturday as the junior found the net twice in the last nine minutes to lead the Purple Aces to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory at Cownie Soccer Complex.
"I think a match like this gives the guys a lot of belief," UE head coach Marshall Ray said. "From top-to-bottom on the roster, no one ever quit or gave up. You have to have that kind of character to be able to compete in this conference. They've proven it tonight, and now we can continue to grow and improve as we head into next week."
Forced to come back from an early 2-0 deficit and once again at 3-2 late, McGrath leveled the affair with an 82
nd minute free kick before firing home the match-winner seven minutes later to give UE its second straight victory.
"I think Ian's been worn down at times this season, and we've demanded a lot out of him," Ray said. "He had that will and energy, and he kept saying that he was going to get one. He had an absolute blast of a free kick, and he really brought himself into the game."
With the win, the Aces improved to 8-6-2 overall and 3-2-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Meanwhile, Drake dropped to 4-9-1 and 1-4-1, respectively.
Things started out pretty well for the hosts, with James Wypych striking for two of his three goals on the day in first 25 minutes. However, Ryan Koenig would pull one back in the 32
nd, beating Drake goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod on the near post for his second goal in as many matches.
Jared Robinson, who had entered Saturday with a goal and an assist in his last two matches, tied things up five minutes later, capitalizing on service from McGrath to make it 2-2.
"I can't say enough about our two seniors tonight," Ray said. "They never gave up and kept battling. The energy they brought with those two goals really put us back in the game."
Following the break, Wypych completed his hat-trick with a 65
th minute effort that was initially parried by UE goalkeeper Frederik Reimer before finding its way into the net.
McGrath's equalizer followed in the 82
nd with a well-worked free kick with Simon Waever, and he'd finish the game off 102 seconds from the end of regulation on service from Zac Blaydes. The goals added to McGrath's team lead in the category with eight.
UE will return to action next week with a home showdown with Lipscomb on Tuesday before hitting the road for another MVC contest at Missouri State next weekend.
NOTES: Saturday marked the first time the Aces had scored four goals since last year's 4-0 win over Northern Kentucky … Ian McGrath has now scored multiple goals in two matches this season … The last was a loss to Utah Valley … Since 2009, only Mark Anthony Gonzalez has scored more goals in a single season than Ian McGrath has this season … The Aces are 12-15-2 all-time against Drake … DU is the only opponent from the state of Iowa that the Aces have faced … Dating back to 1979, UE is 5-5-0 on Oct. 22.
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