DES MOINES, Iowa – Jakub Drazek's (Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove) 64th minute goal canceled out a first half Drake tally as the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against the Bulldogs on Saturday night (Sept. 27) at Mediacom Stadium in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams. 

"It was a typical first conference game of the season," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "Both teams wanted to get off to a good start, it was very physical, pretty hectic for large chunks of the game. Disappointed to concede the penalty, I thought it was a little bit sloppy for us defensively to allow them to get into that position. But I was delighted with the response from us, especially in the second half. 

"I thought we were really good in the second half. It was fantastic to see (Jakub Drazek) score his first career goal for us and get (a point) back. I think I'm happy with the tie, but I also think there were opportunities for us to go find a winner, which is encouraging since Drake was picked to finish first in the conference."

NIU (4-3-2, 0-0-1 MVC) created the first good chance of the contest as terrific build up from the Huskies through midfield ended with a low cross from the right side to Jose Gomez (Roatan, Honduras) who fired high in the 10th minute. 

Drake (5-0-4, 0-0-1 MVC) opened the scoring in the 25th minute as Damian Segura broke the deadlock. NIU was whistled for a foul in the box and Segura stepped up to take the penalty for the Bulldogs. NIU goalkeeper Atahan Arslan (Ismir, Turkiye) made an outstanding save on the penalty but the rebound fell back to the feet of Segura who scored at the second attempt to give the hosts a 1-0 lead that they would take into the interval. 

In the 50th minute, Arslan made an excellent save to tip a shot from Barrett Kitts over the crossbar and out for a corner kick. 

Gomez had a chance from a free kick about 25 yards from goal in the 57th minute, but the Huskie senior midfielder fired straight at Drake goalkeeper Tomas Butkovic. 

Drazek brought NIU level just after the hour mark with his first collegiate goal. Katai Mukuka (Lusaka, Zambia) whipped a deep cross from the right side across the box and Drazek slid in with his left foot to redirect it off the hand of Butkovic and into the net from close range to level the match for the Huskies. 

"(Jakub) was brilliant today," said Swan. "We bounced him around in a couple of different positions and he just always gives you everything, every game … It was a great ball from Katai (Mukuka) and (Jakub) made a fantastic run and managed to get a touch on it to put it in the net."

Drake nearly went back in front in the 81st minute as Preston Kipnusu was first to a free kick from midfield, winning a header near the top of the six-yard box that he powered off the crossbar. The rebound fell back into a dangerous position before the Bulldogs were whistled for a foul. 

Both teams continued to push for a winner in the final minutes, but neither would find it as NIU and Drake had to settle for a draw. 

Saturday's contest featured just 14 total shots, along with 41 fouls and 10 yellow cards. 

The Huskies will return to action on Homecoming Saturday night, Oct. 4, when they host Bradley. Kickoff against the Braves is slated for 7 p.m. CT at the NIU Soccer Complex and admission to all Huskie soccer games is free of charge.