Drake University - Fianally back to 500 after four straight losses. No worries, these guys will get it together if they already havent. Infact, i see them finishing atleast in the top three of their confrence this year and going to the big dance. The depaul game was exciting and the team showed their explosiveness at times. I just see great things in the future. There freshmen class looks to be top notch and if the older guys dont carry the squad this year. these guys deffinently will in the years to come. However this could be the year that drake makes a run at the natioal title. Dont be surprised if you see these guys dominate the weekends competition. Look for Matt Nickel to have a huge game offensivly. My predictions for the weekends games.... Drake- 3 Tulsa - 0 Drake- 4 SMU- 1
So that "explosive" 1-0 win against 150th rated DePaul will propel Drake into 3-0 and 4-1 scorelines against rated #25 Tulsa and #15 SMU respectively? You're either kidding or related to one of the freshman.
I still do think Drake could potentially make a run at the national title this year, but the team itself needs to play how they did the first two and a half games (minus the second half against UMKC) in order to do so. The second half last night was an outstanding performance defensively for the Bulldogs as they allowed zero shots. The only way they're going to be able to win the title is by playing solid defense like they did last night. Games against Tulsa and SMU will be a good way to judge how Drake ranks against two of the toughest teams in the college game. If Drake scores early in games, and bunkers in on defense for 90 minutes, they will be the darkhorse for the National title. Mark my words, Drake will not be a pushover in any game for even a moment. They will fight, and they'll challenge for the conference title.
Ummm... You're making this prediction based on 4 wins against 4 teams with a combined record of 3-25-2, and after having lost 4 straight? Their opponents in the 1st two games (Richmond and Providence) have 1 win between them, so Drake doesn't seem have the market cornered when it come to wins over those two. Further, 3 of their 4 losses have come to teams with losing records. So beyond NAIA Grandview College (to whom they lost as well), Drake hasn't yet played a team with a winning record. I'd say you might want to wait not only for the results against Tulsa and SMU, but a few others as well
You need to look at a few box scores and see how lopsided almost every game Drake has played has really been. Do a little bit more research than knowing the teams combined records.
I'm sure I could, but it's irrevelant. The fact that Drake scored 13 goals against the likes of Richmond, Providence and UMKC, all of whom have been getting spanked all season to date, says more about Richmond, Providence and UMKC than it does about Drake. EVERYBODY has been beating those three (and UMKC's only 3 goals all season were scored against Drake). Throw in the 4 losses to very average Western Illinois, Marquette and Wisconsin and you've got to admit that Drake has quite a way to go to be included among the competitive elite.
Are you serious? Surely you know the type of class those two sides have. 7-1 aggregate? Not a chance. I think Drake can get points this weekend - not 6, but they have a shot at 3/4.
National Title? How about beating Tulsa first. Then maybe you can think about getting to St Louis for the MVC semifinals before you can even think about the NCAA Tournament, let alone the title. That would be pretty nice, but let's be honest.
I think all they need is Siberz back. He's a stud. He'll help Zenor anchor the defense and score goals on set pieces. He's such an exciting player!
Well...now that we've found out who Siberz' boyfriend is, it'll make it easier to ignore you. Once Siberz becomes an athlete, then we'll worry about him scoring goals, but first he has to be able to hit a ball straight and keep it in bounds instead of sending it into the stands everytime. He hasn't played yet this year, but I remember the summer with Menace and last spring/fall with Drake...ouch, did someone ever teach him the ball is supposed to stay inside the white lines?
Best of luck to Drake this weekend. It is going to be a great start to a very competitive MVC regular season for all teams involved. Here is where the season begins, the rest is just a prolonged preseason. A time for coaches and players alike to work, ajust, and bulid themselves into a team ready to compete in one of the most competitive conferences in the nation.
I agree, but the "preseason" can completely screw a team out of the postseason even if they do well in conference. The conference tournament would also be a huge factor as to whether or not a team advances to the NCAA tournament. Drake needs two wins this weekend to give itself a great chance of getting into the tournament...without two wins it's going to be tough without winning the conference tournament.
If you're one for odds, given the home field advantage, it looks like about 2.5:1 SMU over Drake, and 1.5:1 in favor of Tulsa. Not too bad.
Drake has had one good home showing this year...and that was against Graceland College...never heard of them? There's a reason.....They aren't good...
DSocc, please tell me where you got the odds. I have been looking all over (Vegas, Atlantic City, Prairie Meadows, etc) for college soccer odds and have had no luck. I have been wanting to put some money on these games, I just haven't been able to find a sports book that putts odds out. Also, do you know the over/under for the 2 games? Let me know soon!!!
Drake went ahead and got back on track by punishing Tulsa in every aspect of the game Friday, but Tulsa luckily came away with a tie. The box score says the temperature was in the low 50's and overcase for the game, when in reality it was 42 at gametime with a howling 25 mile an hour wind gusting near 40 mph. The field was wet, it was cold, windy and basically the worst possible night to play a game of soccer. Drake pounded Tulsa for a good portion of the game, but Tulsa did have a few good opportunites that were snatched up by Breuer or the Drake defense...Drake isn't a push over and proved it. Check out the box scores and you'll see. Another huge test for the Dogs tomorrow against SMU, who knocked off Creighton 1-0 in Omaha last night.