No. 7 DRAKE 4, No. 6 VALPARAISO 2

Box Score

PEORIA, IL – No. 7 seed Drake scored a season-high four goals in a frantic second half to defeat No. 6 Valparaiso 4-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship opening round Tuesday afternoon. The Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals of the MVC Men's Soccer Championship and will take on No. 3 Bradley on Wednesday evening. 

The match was scoreless at halftime, before all six goals were scored in the final 45 minutes. Valpo's Rafael Mentzingen notched the first goal of the match in the 58th minute, a highlight-reel effort that gave the Crusaders a temporary edge. The Bulldogs drew even in the 71st minute, as Alex Peterson headed one inside the right post from two yards out. The play started with a long throw-in, then Jake Taylor headed it to Peterson.

After the two teams traded a pair of penalty kicks to make the score 2-2, Drake's Leroy Enzugusi scored the game-winner in the 83rd minute on an assist from Nic Jaimes.  Jaimes added the final tally of the match in the final minute thanks to an assist from Enzugusi.

Drake advances to take on No. 3 Bradley on Wednesday in the second quarterfinal of the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Championship at 6:00 PM. The Bulldogs and Braves faced each other on September 30 in Peoria with Bradley claiming a 1-0 win. Bradley holds a 6-2-1 record against Drake in MVC Tournament contests. The Bulldogs defeated Bradley 2-0 in last season's MVC Tournament opening round.

Valparaiso ends its season at 8-9-1.