DES MOINES, Iowa – Houston Christian University found themselves on the short end of a 1-0 score, falling to Drake University in a defense-heavy Friday matinee at Mediacom Stadium.
HCU put together several solid runs at the goal in the first half, but to no avail. The Huskies got what would turn out to be their best opportunity of the afternoon in the 10th minute off the foot of
Ryan Okerayi. A long ball hit the sophomore on the run down the right channel, but a smash off his right foot from just outside the 10-yard box was saved by Drake keeper Tomas Butkovic.
Four minutes later,
Ethan Giwa-McNeil put one on target straight on but it was blocked out of harm's way.
The hosts would crack the ice in the 35th minute, as Cole Schrage lofted a pass to Preston Kipnusu just in front of the 10-yard box. Kipnusu's header from the left side went to the backside right post just past a diving
Alex Aitken, giving Drake the one-nil lead.
In the second frame, the Huskies would keep up the pressure but never really got a clean look on target as the Drake defense withstood several challenges to preserve the clean sheet.
It was a day where defense reigned with just nine total shots in the game and three shots on goal, two coming by the Bulldogs. HCU won five corners to four for the hosts, who improve to 3-2 on the season.
Ryan Okerayi had three shots for the Huskies, one on goal.
Alex Aitken gave up the one score and had one save. Preston Kipnusu scored the game-winner for Drake with his one shot on the afternoon.
HCU fall to 1-4 on the season while hitting the midway point of the four-game road stretch. The Huskies will look to get back on track when they travel across I-80 to the Cornhusker State to face the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Monday evening at 7 pm.
#DawgsUp
