LEBANON, Ill. – No. 18 Drury men's soccer continued its hot start to the season with a 4-1 win over McKendree in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play Wednesday night.
Drury started the match on the back foot, as McKendree created early chances from corner kicks, resulting in shots in the third and sixth minutes that were both blocked. GLVC Offensive Player of the Week Fredrik Thulin added another chance in the seventh minute, but his shot missed the target. The Panthers responded in the 11th minute, with two quick shots from
Steen Voller and
Tyrell Phinn, with Phinn forcing a save from McKendree's goalkeeper Borka Filip.
The Panthers broke through in the 18th minute, as Voller charged forward and found
Lui Bull near the edge of the box. Bull fired his shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give Drury a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, Thulin found Oscar Misic, who headed home the equalizer. Both teams continued to trade chances throughout the rest of the half, but neither could find the go-ahead goal, sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
The second half grew more chaotic, as Drury opened on the attack and registered the first three shots of the period.
Ben Barnett then denied a shot from Owen Lewis in the 51st minute, before the Panthers regained the lead three minutes later. Bull delivered a cross into the box, where
Jack Brinkman finished it to put Drury ahead 2-1. Six minutes later, Bull picked up a loose ball near midfield, spotted the goalkeeper off his line and chipped him from distance for his second goal of the night, extending Drury's lead to 3-1.
The Panthers went down to 10 men in the 61st minute when Barnett brought down a McKendree attacker and was shown a straight red card. Freshman
Tyler Fischer replaced him in goal for the final 29 minutes. Despite playing down a man, the Panthers did not let up the pressure and earned a penalty kick in the 74th minute, from which
Caua Nascimento converted to push the lead to 4-1. Drury conceded nine shots in the final 15 minutes, but Fischer was forced to make just two saves. The Panthers closed out the 4-1 road win to remain perfect in GLVC play.
HIGHLIGHTS
- No. 18 Drury improves to 6-1-0 overall, continuing its best start to a season since 2016.
- The Panthers improve to 4-0-0 in GLVC play, outscoring conference opponents 14-3.
- Wednesday's win keeps Drury atop the GLVC standings.
- Drury has won five straight matches, outscoring opponents 15-3 during the streak.
- The Panthers remain perfect on the road at 4-0-0.
- Drury scored three second-half goals, including two after being reduced to 10 men.
- Lui Bull scored his first two goals of the season and added an assist to record a game-high five points.
- Caua Nascimento scored his second goal of the season and recorded a team-high seven shots.
- Jack Brinkman scored the first goal of his Drury career, which stood as the game-winner.
- Steen Voller earned his second assist of the season.
- Tyler Fischer made his Drury debut in goal, recording three saves without conceding a goal.
- Bull, Nascimento, Sam Tagg, Voller, and Parker Jusseaume are all tied with a team-high six points.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to Springfield to host Indianapolis in GLVC play on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 12:30 p.m.
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