Aces Record Third Consecutive MVC Shutout in 0-0 Draw at Drake

DES MOINES, Iowa – For the first time since 2017, the University of Evansville men’s soccer team earn a road result in Des Moines, playing the Drake Bulldogs to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night. Goalkeeper Michal Mroz (Elk Grove, Ill./Elk Grove) and the Aces defense recorded their third consecutive shutout in MVC play, marking the first time since 1990 that Evansville has opened their conference schedule with three clean sheets.

Mroz began his night with a leaping stop in the 16^th minute, taking a goal away from the Bulldogs. The sophomore made two more saves throughout the rest of the first period, keeping the match scoreless into the halftime break.

The best chance of the night for the Purple Aces came in the 57^th minute, as Tancredi Fadda (Monza, Italy, University of Milan) ripped a strike from the top of the box, but his shot hit the crossbar and the Aces were left empty-handed.

Mroz made another huge save in the 69^th minute, turning away a shot on goal to keep the clean sheet in tact.

Nacho Garcia (Zaragoza, Spain/UNIR) tallied Evansville’s first shot on goal in the 73^rd minute, but his shot was saved by Drake keeper Tomas Butkovic.

From there, the defensive battle continued, as the night ended in a scoreless draw.

“It was a tough battle,” said Head Coach Robbe Tarver. “They probably created a few more chances, but we defended well. To be on the road again and get a result, not allow a goal, there are a lot of good things we can take away.”

“This is our first result here since 2017, we haven’t allowed a goal in conference, and we are guaranteeing ourselves to at least be tied atop on the table after the weekend’s matches, so I’m happy with the result and we push for more.”

Mroz made three saves on the night to post his fifth clean sheet in the last seven matches. Evansville remains the only MVC team to not allow a goal in conference play.

With the draw, Evansville moves to 4-3-6 overall and 2-0-1 in MVC play, remaining atop the conference table with seven points. UE returns to action on Saturday, traveling to Chicago to take on UIC.