SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury men's soccer opened the 2026 season with a 3-1 win over Davenport Thursday night.
Drury started the match on the front foot, creating the first opportunity in the eighth minute, as
David Huang forced an early save from Davenport goalkeeper Beau Hudd. Davenport responded in the 12th minute with a shot from Dugan Black that missed the target.
Steen Voller, playing in a more advanced midfield role, created another close chance in the 24th minute, forcing another save from Hudd.
In the 32nd minute, a Drury handball gave Davenport a penalty kick. 2025 D2CCA All-Region selection Charlie Davis stepped up and converted the penalty to give Davenport a 1-0 lead. Drury responded with two quick goals.
David Huang sent
Caua Nascimento through on goal, who slotted his shot in the bottom corner to make it 1-1 in the 34th minute. Three minutes later, a cross from
Mason Platts deflected off a Davenport defender and into the net for an own goal, giving Drury a 2-1 lead. The Panthers carried the advantage into halftime.
Davenport opened the second half with a shot from Drew Matyunas that went wide left. Nascimento had another scoring opportunity in the 61st minute with an effort from the edge of the box that struck the crossbar.
Drury and Davenport exchanged chances as the second half progressed before the Panthers added an insurance goal in the 77th minute. A run from
Eyal Kibrik opened space for
Sam Tagg, who sent the keeper the wrong way to put Drury 3-1 up. Davenport did not register another shot on goal, and Drury closed out the 3-1 season-opening win.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Caua Nascimento scored his first career goal.
- Sam Tagg scored his second goal as a Panther.
- David Huang and Eyal Kibrik each earned their first career assist for Drury.
- Steen Voller led the Panthers with three shots.
- Drury outshot Davenport 12-7.
- Drury registered six shots on goal.
- Davenport's only shot on target came from Charlie Davis's penalty kick.
- Drury won its first season-opener in three seasons.
- Drury opened the 2026 season 1-0-0.
- The Panthers improved to 6-3-2 at Lake Country.
QUOTABLE
"We are delighted to win the first game," Drury head coach
Ben Taylor said. "I thought we responded well after their penalty to go 2-1 up before halftime. We were able to play 18 guys tonight, which shows our depth going into the season."
"I am glad to score my first goal for Drury," goalscorer
Caua Nascimento said. "Hopefully it's the first of many."
UP NEXT
Drury stays in Springfield for another non-conference matchup against Oklahoma Christian on Saturday.
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