DES MOINES, Iowa – The Northern Illinois University men's soccer team closed the preseason with a 4-0 setback at Drake on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs led 1-0 at the half before scoring three after the intermission as both teams finish the exhibition slate. 

Junior Kevin Rodriguez (Pasadena, Texas/Deer Park) had the first chance of the game for the Huskies has he saw his shot in the 10th minute fly high over the Drake goal.

NIU goalkeeper Drew Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) was called into action for the first time in the 22nd minute with a save on a chance from Nic Jaimes, followed a minute later with a stop on an attempt by Mason Leonard. Drake kept the pressure on and opened the scoring in the 24th minute as Jaimes headed home the game's opening goal past Donnally. 

Late in the half, the Huskies created a pair of opportunities as freshman Alex Welch (Carmarthen, Wales/King's College Madrid) had an effort go wide in the 40th minute and Rodriguez had a shot blocked in the final minute of the opening 45 as Drake took a 1-0 lead to the intermission. 

The first shot of the second half saw the Bulldogs double their advantage as Leroy Enzugusi scored for Drake in the 55th minute. 

Less than a minute later the Huskies were immediately on the attack as sophomore Christian Molina (Katy, Texas/Mayde Creek) forced a save from Drake goalkeeper Caden McCullough. In the 58th minute, sophomore Ethan Pitre (Minneapolis, Minn./Prairie Seeds Academy) nearly cut the Drake lead in half as his shot hit the post. 

Welch and Rodriguez each had another sight at goal with Welch's effort going high in the 59th minute and Rodriguez having his shot saved in the 65th. Four minutes later the Huskies created another opportunity off a corner kick as junior Noe Ochoa (Pasadena, Texas/Pasadena Memorial) saw his shot saved. 

Drake added a third goal in the 71st minute as Antonio Sanchez added to the Bulldogs lead off a feed from Enzugusi. The Bulldogs then finished the scoring in the 88th minute as Alex Andersen scored a fourth goal, with an assist from Stafford Dowling. 

NIU will begin the regular season on Friday, Aug. 25, when the Huskies host DePaul. Game time against the Blue Demons is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., at the NIU Soccer Complex.