A closer look at Drake

Discussion in 'College & Amateur Soccer' started by To_MucH069, Sep 26, 2004.

  1. Wendys

    Wendys Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    They might not be a pushover, but 1 point in 2 home games, even against the likes of Tulsa and SMU isn't going to cut it.
     
  2. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004

    There is only one game Drake will play this year that will be half as tough as those two games, and that's against Creighton. The strength of the rest of the weekends aren't near as difficult as this one. Ask anybody who plays in the MVC, the Tulsa and SMU weekend is by far the hardest, and the one most people can't wait to get out of the way. No road trip, or home weekend will be even close to as hard after playing those two teams.
     
  3. Wendys

    Wendys Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    No question, that is a tough weekend, as tough as they come in any conference. However, you said earlier that Drake could possibly make a run at the national title, and if you can't get more than one point AT HOME against two quality opponents, I think it's safe to assume a national title run is a bit optimistic to say the least.

    It's too bad, as things were set up nicely for Drake with home games against the big three, but with losses against the likes of Marquette at home, Western Illinois (who two middle of the road MVC teams beat earlier), and a local NAIA team (which doesn't even allow Drake to be the champion of Des Moines), and no wins to date against a quality opponent, the only way they'll even make the tournament is to win the conference tournament, and that's a stretch.

    BTW, Creighton destroyed Tulsa today 4-0.
     
  4. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    Damn it...okay, you get a point there.

    Wendy's-1
    DesMoinesSoccerScene-0
     
  5. Wendys

    Wendys Member

    Mar 28, 2000
    Wasn't trying to argue or anything. Drake has gotten better and better the last two seasons, and I do think you are correct that they will compete with most anyone, but they definitely have an uphill road now.

    Good luck with the rest of the season!
     
  6. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    Any thoughts on who everything is going to turn out in the conference this weekend?
     
  7. bravessoccer

    bravessoccer Member

    Sep 9, 2004
    DMSS,
    You can listen to this weekends Bu/Drake game on bubraves.com...I'll be calling the game. Afterwards, you can tell me your thoughts on the match and my call. The Creighton game will also be on Friday. We will have a 30 min pregame for both matches.

    My thoughts on the weekend (with no comments on BU matches, for professionalism's sake)

    SMU goes 2-0 although Vandy is a decent side
    Vandy gets at least one against Tulsa
    WKU takes two on the chin
    Drake and Creighton beat Eastern
    SMS takes Evansville
     
  8. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    I got a chance to catch the game, but didn't hear your broadcast. What was your take on the game? I sat with a few DU parents and they were a little bit skeptical about the performance, rightfully so. It almost looked as if Drake had played the 11th ranked team in the country Friday...only, make that 111th...Wow, what a weekend. Let me know your thoughts, I've got plenty of them as well but not enough time right now to respond.
     
  9. bravessoccer

    bravessoccer Member

    Sep 9, 2004
    This weekend Bradley played very well. They did everything but score against Creighton and played only slightly worse against Drake. I thought Drake got a bit predictable on their attack and were sending more balls up over the top then they needed to.

    I thought coming in the the wide midfield play was an advantage to Drake but it didn't turn out that way. Bega was playing in the midfield initially, which in itself isn't bad, but I thought he should have been up with Nickell. With those two up top it would have forced Bradley to have their #2 marking back on one or the other. instead they marked Nickell with Swaby (a pretty decent defender) and used a combo to limit Bega.

    Hamburger was a disappointment, pretty much a non-factor. Zenor is solid and other than his role in the own goal he was good.

    This was a different side than what I saw opening weekend. They have some issues.

    Drake had probably three real shots to score but Dunsheath made a nice save on one flurry and they mis-hit the others. I thought BU got the better of the play and the result was fair.

    The problem is, next weekend we could see a different team. There isn't a definite leader for BU. If they find one I expect them to play well the rest of the year.

    I thought the result was about right Sunday
     
  10. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    I agree that Nickell and Bega up top would have been a solid combo and fairly difficult to defend, but Samuelson did do a good job up top creating for Nickell. Either way, someone crafty needs to be up top with Nickell to help either create, or finish opportunities Nickell provides them with.

    I felt the back line played well at times. To me, it's still a bit of a change to see Richey in back rather than up front, but he did play very well. Zenor also had a good game.

    Drake was without Keith Gorczyca for the weekend because of an eye problem, and Hamburger and Cory Farabi didn't play on Friday due to lingering injuries. Hamburger looked like a useless gimp the whole game. His turnover in midfield that led to a breakaway for Kreamalmeyer made me want to puke. If that play was finished, Hamburger should have earned himself a hitchiking journey back to Des Moines. Farabi didn't look mobile either, but the two of them were both hurt, and I agree, Hamburger was not a deciding factor in the game and should be ashamed of how he played, regardless of his injury. Baker also got hurt toward the beginning of the game and didn't return. I've got this feeling that the Drake team is a little soft. I've heard rumors about multiple players suffering near season ending injuries, and as many as 10 people sitting out of practice on a daily basis. These guys, frankly, need to toughen up.

    Breuer had a good game, as did Dunsheath, but neither were really challenged. After both teams played Friday games (Bradley's being the toughest, hands down) I would have figured there would be a lot more defensive breakdowns and more goals. The field conditions were terrible and if I were a betting man, I would have bet my life savings on a few goals being given up due to players falling down by the hands of the swamp like field. It's a shame to see a good field take a beating like that twice in a weekend.

    Either way, the game was boring. Too much play in midfield and very little creativity for both teams attacking wise. It made it a hard game to watch at times, but I still felt like Drake challenged well and could have won the game just as easily as Bradley did, had they not made a few critical mistakes (own goal, giving up a goal in the final minute). However, I can't blame Drake for pushing up and trying to get the equalizer in the last ten minutes, which eventually led to them giving up a goal. It has to happen, so there can't be too much shame in that, only that the finishing was brutal on both ends with plenty of sitters inside the box that should have been finished. Hopefully Drake can turn it around and Bradley can get some momentum going into the Tulsa/SMU weekend, which is going to be a brutal one for them. Drake has a big weekend with two winnable games on the slate against Vandy and Western Kentucky. They need these two games to help solidify a spot in the MVC tournament, and possibly home field advantage in the first round.
     
  11. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    Drake comes away with two big wins this weekend, while Creighton wins both games while doing so in shaky fashion against WKU today. Is Creighton legit or what?

    I know it's not a solid indication as to how a game went by looking at stats, but Drake outshot WKU by 13 shots while Creighton was outshot by a count of six. What was the deal? Another game that had weird shot totals compared to the final score was the Tulsa/SMU game. What the heck happened there? By the looks of things Tulsa dominated the run of play and SMU got lucky on their chances. That's SMU's thing, finishing their chances, so I guess luck may not have a lot to do with it.

    We're three weeks into the Valley conference schedule and things are beginning to pan out a little more as each week goes by (duh...). Does anybody have any predictions as to how the rest of the season is going to go (scores, final standings, seeding going into conference?)

    Here are my predictions for next weekend....
    Vanderbilt 3-0 EIU....Eastern is terrible and that isn't going to change anytime soon, what else can I say?
    Vanderbilt 2-1 Bradley (too tough of a weekend for Bradley against a team that shouldn't have such an awful record in conference)
    WKU 2-1 Bradley (WKU is infamous for having refs that will completely screw the visiting team over because lets face it, Western needs all the help they can get)
    WKU 1-1 EIU...Once again, both of these teams are so bad they'll put the state of soccer back 10 years just by stepping into the same complex with each other, let alone on the same field and playing...In fact, it'll be so bad the refs won't even be able to throw this nail biter...
    Tulsa 5-0 Evansville....There is nobody in Evansville's achy back line to stop Ryan Pore, or anyone else on the team for that matter. Evansville will be demolished because of the errors they create, not because Tulsa is good.
    Tulsa 2-0 SMS....I can't see Tulsa getting scored on by these two teams with Kincaid back in the line-up. SMS has had a good year scoring, but that's about to come to a halt this weekend.
    SMU 6-0 Evansville...I debated whether or not I was going to say 10-0...but what the hell, six is a good number too. Evansville won't have nearly enough speed to stay with these guys.
    SMU 3-0 SMS....SMS doesn't have the stamina or speed to stay with these guys.
    Drake 2-1 Creighton....yeah, I know that's a bit optimistic, but throw the records aside when these two teams play each other because this is becoming one of the finest rivalries in college soccer, not to mention most heated.


    I want to hear some arguments on this or else I'm going to be upset.
     
  12. thesoccerjock

    thesoccerjock New Member

    Jul 27, 2004
    You really are a rambling flake. Drake is not in the same league with the Jays. Never will be. Bring it on next week.
     
  13. bravessoccer

    bravessoccer Member

    Sep 9, 2004
    No way Bradley drops those two matches...Vandy just lost to Drake afterthe Bulldogs were blanked by the Braves. Last season the Braves had their way with Vandy and WKU scoring 8 combined goals...

    BU should be upset if they don't take the full 6...

    I don't know why your outlook on some of these sides changed but how can you take WKU to beat BU and then tie Eastern? No solid reasoning there

    Tulsa hasn't been scoring well enough to give them 5 against anyone...they'll beat Eville but not 5-0...SMS should get on the board against Tulsa...I'm thinking a close match, tie?

    SMU will get 6 points

    Creighton should top Drake....i don't know about it being a great college soccer rivalry seeing as how Creighton is 17-0-5 against Drake
     
  14. thesoccerjock

    thesoccerjock New Member

    Jul 27, 2004
    Well said. I guess the boys from Iowa have a very low standard when it comes to defining a great rivalry. Or, Drake fans must consider it a "victory" when their team can pull off a tie. Go figure.
     
  15. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    In the last three years Drake has taken Creighton to overtime and the last two they've ended up tying (not to mention two years ago Drake scored an own goal and were a man down most of the second half and all of the overtimes and still scored a goal to tie and should have won). You can take a look at almost every team in the conference and their travel partner (SMS and Evansville, WKU and Vandy, SMU and Tulsa, EIU and Bradley, Drake and Creighton) and 9 times out of 10 the games in which the travel partners play one another, it'll be a close game (your Bradley team barely beating EIU is a good comparison). Even though SMS smacked Evansville right out of Springfield and SMU beat Tulsa 4-0, the SMU game was lopsided in shots (Tulsa 17 SMU 9) it was a lot closer game than indicated by the score, but the box score told a totally different story. Creighton and Drake are two hours away and both could say they hate each other more than anybody else in the conference. It is a rivarly, despite Creighton's series advantage.

    If you want to base how Bradley should do off of how Drake didn't against other teams, you would have been able to make an assumption that Drake would beat Bradley by about 6 goals (Drake beat Richmond 5-0 and Bradley lost to them 1-0). Comparing scores and assuming the outcome of games should be near the goal differential is bush league stuff, head to head is all that matters and basing other teams' scores on how outcomes should turn out isn't at all accurate, which was proven by Bradley beating Drake. Bradley will have a tough time overcoming the refs (definitely in Kentucky) and the boot-ball style both of our Eastern-most affiliates choose to play. It's a hard style to adapt to and I don't think Bradley will be able to handle that and the horrible reffing. That's what I'm basing my predictions on.
     
  16. jscott23

    jscott23 Member

    Manchester United
    United States
    Jan 24, 2003
    Poway, CA
    Club:
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    This, from the guy who touts the MVC on every other thread at BS, while trashing every other program out there. Well, which is it. Is the MVC legit, or do you play a conference schedule softer than a roll of Charmin?

    Most of us have great respect for the MVC, and their teams. A good friend, Aaron James coached at Drake a few years back, after coming over from Evansville, and one of my former students, Michael Thomas played for Drake as well. Good luck this weekend!
     
  17. bravessoccer

    bravessoccer Member

    Sep 9, 2004
    So you're saying that using results is a poor way to predict but claiming that officals at WKU are poor is a good way? BTW it was 2-1 v. Richmond...

    What you predicted leads me to believe you think WKU and Vandy can do what Drake couldn't do. Score on BU. You think their attackers can do what Nickell, Samuelson, Bega, Hamburger, et al couldn't?

    Bradley is 7-2-0 against WKU all time and hasn't lost since 2000 and has won 3 of 4 at WKU

    The past two trips to Vandy have resulted in 7 goals for BU and 6 points.

    If those aren't head-to-head reasons to think BU should get 6 I don't know what is. My statement was more to show the level of recent play.

    I didn't predict any scores for BU based on what Drake didn't do...I predicted results. I'm not saying any road game in the league is easy, just that you slighted BU based on the reffing you've seen in the past. Do your research about these matchups. You'll see that BU has had more league success in the past 5 years than anyone outside of SMU or Creighton...How many times do they have to make the tournament finals or finish towards the top of the table? You might not like their style...but they get results in the league and the MVC tournament.

    You like to look at shots v. opponents because it's convenient for your arguments. Drake takes shots just to take shots (so does Tulsa), regardless if they have any chance. Creighton doesn't do that, SMU doesn't do that.

    I know the history with the Drake/Creighton series...there have been results recently that makes Drake think they're closing the gap...The problem is that Drake circles that game every year to get "up" for. Creighton does not. It's not a rivalry unless you win some. A tie is not a win.
     
  18. Dsocc

    Dsocc Member

    Feb 13, 2002
    FWIW, if you put any store in power ratings (where Creighton's schedule strength is similar to Drake's power rating), Creighton comes in as a 4:1 favorite, and they should win by 2 goals.
     
  19. roman...noodle

    roman...noodle New Member

    May 30, 2004
    a hole in the ground
    I am going to make an appearance at the Drake-Creighton game this weekend. After all, it is a Menace reunion. We have the famed Odorisio brothers and Zack Zinney for Creighton and we have the fast food man Hamburger as well as Siberz for Drake. This is going to be a good game I hope. What's people's thoughts?

    P.S. What is the over/under?
    I might be wanting to put some money on this game
     
  20. CUgrad01

    CUgrad01 New Member

    Oct 20, 2004
    I don't think Kinney plays for Creighton anymore
     
  21. CUgrad01

    CUgrad01 New Member

    Oct 20, 2004
    I don't think Kinney plays for Creighton anymore
     
  22. bravessoccer

    bravessoccer Member

    Sep 9, 2004
    Friday's results

    Bradley 3 WKU 2
    Eastern IL 2 Vandy 1
    SMU 6 Eville 0 - 6 different scorers
    SMS 3 Tulsa 2

    Today
    Creighton @ Drake

    Sunday's matches
    BU @ Vandy
    Eastern @ WKU
    SMS @ SMU
    Eville @ Tulsa
     
  23. roman...noodle

    roman...noodle New Member

    May 30, 2004
    a hole in the ground
    Well I attended the Drake vs Creighton match last night and enjoyed myself. I grabbed a roster and realized there are more Menace players featured in that game than I originally thought. There was Matt Nickle and Adam Zener who played with us a few years ago. I think Adam had dreadlocks; i dont know why he got rid of them, because he does not look good with that short Top-Gun/Iceman look he has now. But I thought the game was evenly played and the crowd was nice. Creighton packed it in a bit in the second half to protect the lead so Drake had more of the play and had more chances if you ask me. Nickle had a golden opportunity, just unfortunate he couldnt finish it. It would have changed the game I believe.

    P.S. Did anybody see the black guy for Creighton whiff the ball in the second half? It looked like he got hurt when he swung so hard and missed and fell. Just wondering if he was ok. An update would be appreciated.
     
  24. thesoccerjock

    thesoccerjock New Member

    Jul 27, 2004
    I could not believe how one sided the referees were. They were clearly doing everything in their power to give Drake an advantage. Don't kid yourself into thinking this was an evenly played match either. Creighton is clearly a far better team with far better players. I would also question several of the "shots" Drake was being credited for. And your field is terrible.
     
  25. DesMoinesSoccerScene

    Sep 9, 2004
    How was the game not one-sided? Drake beat up on Creighton for all but 20 minutes of the game. The shot total when the first goal was scored was 7-3 after the goal. One sketchy shot call for Drake was put on the board, so make it 6-3. In the first 25 minutes of the first half Drake held possession and had a lot of chances, granted Creighton did make their first chances all threatening. Still, in the second half Drake dominated the run of play and could have came away with a W if a few "gimme" chances were finished. I could say the same for Creighton, but they didn't have nearly as many chances as Drake did.

    I don't think the field is in that bad of shape. It's a little torn up but with it being wet (dew) that made the bounces a lot more true than it would have been if the ground was dry. Just because Drake doesn't have a million people throwing money at the program to build a stadium like yours doesn't mean they're a second tier team. The field is a bit choppy but didn't have anything to do with the outcome of the game, so mentioning it has nothing to do with anything.

    Unfortunate for Drake that they had a let down for 20 minutes to end the first half because it cost them the game.
     

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