Drake Bulldogs men's soccer
Encyclopedia
The Drake Bulldogs men's soccer team represent Drake University
in the Missouri Valley Conference
of NCAA Division I soccer. The team plays its home matches at Cownie Sports Complex on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa
and is currently coached by Swiss-Canadian Sean Holmes.
, for the 1991 season.
Upon joining the MVC, the Bulldogs went 6-10-0 (1-2-0) in 1991 season and 6-12-2 (2-2-1) in 1992. The Bulldogs would bounce back to post three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in school history from 1993 to 1995 (including a record-best 4-2-0 mark in 1994 MVC play). During his final seasons, Wood's teams totaled a combined 14-21-1 record in 1996-1997.
For the 1998 season, Drake hired Swiss-born Canadian, 32 year-old Evansville
assistant Sean Holmes. In 1998, the Bulldogs earned a 6-11-1 mark. In 1999, Drake went 4-13-1 (1-5-1).
For the 2003 season, the Bulldogs moved from the larger Drake Stadium
into the more-intimate off-campus Coach Cownie Stadium, and Holmes began to turn the program around, guiding the Bulldogs to a 4th-place finish in the conference, good enough to host a quarterfinal match in the conference tournament. The 2003 squad achieved the first top 25 ranking in the program's history. The 2004 squad would begin the season ranked for the first time in school history, and the 2005 season saw victories over three ranked opponents, including a win over then-sixteenth-ranked Creighton
for the first time in school history.
In 2008, Holmes' Drake squad had a breakout season. Drake would win a school-record 13 matches (against 5 losses and 1 draw) and earned a NCAA Tournament berth for the first time. Drawn into the Queens, New York region of the bracket
, the Bulldogs would battle hard at Saint Louis
before falling on a goal just 4.1 seconds away from penalty kicks.
The 2009 season saw Holmes' team take the program to new heights. Hosting the Missouri Valley Conference
tournament after finishing second in the regular season, the Bulldogs edged third-seeded Creighton, 2-1, before defeating fourth-seeded Evansville, 2-1, to win the school's first-ever conference tournament title and clinching their second consecutive College Cup appearance
. In the tournament, the Bulldogs would earn their first-ever NCAA victory with a 2-1 win over Western Illinois
and then stunned fourth-seeded Ohio State
1-0 to advance to the Sweet 16 In the Sweet 16, after falling behind 2-0, the Bulldogs rallied to a stunning 6-4 win at Boston College
before falling in a 2-1 heartbreaker to #5 North Carolina
in the national quarterfinals.
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
in the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
of NCAA Division I soccer. The team plays its home matches at Cownie Sports Complex on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
and is currently coached by Swiss-Canadian Sean Holmes.
History
The Drake program began in 1986. Under coach Bob Wood, the Bulldogs would compile a 16-16 record over two seasons as an independent before joining the Big Central Soccer Conference for the 1988 season. After a three-year run in the BCSC saw Drake post a collective 29-25-4 record (8-7-3 in conference), the Bulldogs would join their traditional sporting conference, the Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
, for the 1991 season.
Upon joining the MVC, the Bulldogs went 6-10-0 (1-2-0) in 1991 season and 6-12-2 (2-2-1) in 1992. The Bulldogs would bounce back to post three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in school history from 1993 to 1995 (including a record-best 4-2-0 mark in 1994 MVC play). During his final seasons, Wood's teams totaled a combined 14-21-1 record in 1996-1997.
For the 1998 season, Drake hired Swiss-born Canadian, 32 year-old Evansville
Evansville Purple Aces
The Evansville Purple Aces represent the University of Evansville in NCAA Division I sports.-Purple Aces and Ace Purple:The University of Evansville's nickname, the Aces, was acquired after an opposing coach cracked a joke after losing to the Evansville College Pioneers in the 1920s...
assistant Sean Holmes. In 1998, the Bulldogs earned a 6-11-1 mark. In 1999, Drake went 4-13-1 (1-5-1).
For the 2003 season, the Bulldogs moved from the larger Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium
Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005. Widening the track reduced the stadium's seating capacity from 18,000...
into the more-intimate off-campus Coach Cownie Stadium, and Holmes began to turn the program around, guiding the Bulldogs to a 4th-place finish in the conference, good enough to host a quarterfinal match in the conference tournament. The 2003 squad achieved the first top 25 ranking in the program's history. The 2004 squad would begin the season ranked for the first time in school history, and the 2005 season saw victories over three ranked opponents, including a win over then-sixteenth-ranked Creighton
Creighton Bluejays
The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams of Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Creighton competes in NCAA Division I athletics, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference...
for the first time in school history.
In 2008, Holmes' Drake squad had a breakout season. Drake would win a school-record 13 matches (against 5 losses and 1 draw) and earned a NCAA Tournament berth for the first time. Drawn into the Queens, New York region of the bracket
2008 Division I Men's College Cup
The 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I who played for the NCAA Championship in soccer. The College Cup for the final four teams was held at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. All the other games were played at the home field of the...
, the Bulldogs would battle hard at Saint Louis
Saint Louis Billikens
The Saint Louis Billikens are the collegiate athletic teams from Saint Louis University. This NCAA Division I program has teams in soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, swimming and diving, cross country, tennis, track and field, and field hockey...
before falling on a goal just 4.1 seconds away from penalty kicks.
The 2009 season saw Holmes' team take the program to new heights. Hosting the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
tournament after finishing second in the regular season, the Bulldogs edged third-seeded Creighton, 2-1, before defeating fourth-seeded Evansville, 2-1, to win the school's first-ever conference tournament title and clinching their second consecutive College Cup appearance
2009 Division I Men's College Cup
The 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship was a tournament of 48 teams from NCAA Division I who played for the NCAA Championship in soccer. The semifinals and final were held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. All the other games were played at the home field of the higher...
. In the tournament, the Bulldogs would earn their first-ever NCAA victory with a 2-1 win over Western Illinois
Western Illinois Leathernecks
The Western Illinois Leathernecks are the teams and athletes that represent Western Illinois University, located in Macomb, Illinois, in NCAA Division I sports. The school's primary conference affiliation is with The Summit League; its football team is a member of the Division I FCS Missouri...
and then stunned fourth-seeded Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
1-0 to advance to the Sweet 16 In the Sweet 16, after falling behind 2-0, the Bulldogs rallied to a stunning 6-4 win at Boston College
Boston College Eagles
The Boston College Eagles are the athletic teams representing Boston College. They compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The men's and women's ice hockey teams compete in Hockey East. The women's crew team competes in the Eastern Association of Women's Rowing...
before falling in a 2-1 heartbreaker to #5 North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
in the national quarterfinals.
All-Time Record
| Year | Head Coach | Overall | Conference | NCAA Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Bob Wood | 5-10-0 | - | - |
| 1987 | 11-6-0 | - | - | |
| 1988 | Bob Wood | 10-7-4 | 2-2-0 | - |
| 1989 | 9-10-0 | 2-4-0 | - | |
| 1990 | 10-8-4 | 4-3-1 | - | |
| 1991 | Bob Wood | 6-10-0 | 1-2-0 | - |
| 1992 | 6-12-2 | 2-2-1 | - | |
| 1993 | 11-5-1 | 1-3-1 | - | |
| 1994 | 9-8-0 | 4-2-0 | - | |
| 1995 | 8-5-3 | 1-3-1 | - | |
| 1996 | 6-11-0 | 2-3-0 | - | |
| 1997 | 8-10-1 | 2-4-1 | - | |
| 1998 | Sean Holmes. | 6-11-1 | 1-5-1 | - |
| 1999 | 4-13-1 | 1-5-1 | - | |
| 2000 | 7-12-0 | 4-7-0 | - | |
| 2001 | 6-10-1 | 1-8-0 | - | |
| 2002 | 9-2-2 | 5-2-2 | - | |
| 2003 | 10-6-3 | 4-3-2 | - | |
| 2004 | 8-9-1 | 4-4-1 | - | |
| 2005 | 9-9-2 | 4-2-1 | - | |
| 2006 | 6-7-6 | 2-3-2 | - | |
| 2007 | 9-6-4 | 2-2-2 | - | |
| 2008 | 13-5-1 | 4-1-0 | 1st Round | |
| 2009 | 16-7-2 | 6-3-1 | Quarterfinals | |
| 2010 | 8-8-2 | 4-2-1 | - |
Notable former players
The players in bold have senior international caps.-
Ezra HendricksonEzra HendricksonEzra Hendrickson is a retired Vincentian footballer. He played professionally in the United States' Major League Soccer with New York MetroStars, Los Angeles Galaxy, Dallas Burn, and Chivas USA, and was also a member of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team...
was a three-time winner of the MLS CupMLS CupThe MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
(2002, 2004, 2008) who featured for six different Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
clubs and 123 international appearances with Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines national football teamThe Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national football team is the national team of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and is controlled by the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation....
Matt NickellMatt NickellMatt Nickell is an American soccer player, who last played forward for D.C. United in Major League Soccer....
made seven appearances with D.C. UnitedD.C. UnitedD.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
from 2005-06 Kirk WilsonKirk WilsonKirk Wilson is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in Major League Soccer and the USL A-League.-Youth:Wilson’s family moved from California to El Paso, Texas when he was a child. He graduated from Coronado High School where he was part of the 1996 Texas State High School...
played for the Dallas Burn from 1999–2000 and the Impact de Montreal in 2006 Corey Farabi was a 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft2006 MLS Supplemental DraftThe 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft, held on January 26, 2006, followed the SuperDraft, as teams filled out their developmental rosters.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:...
choice of the Kansas City WizardsKansas City WizardsSporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
and made several reserve appearances with the club