The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss at Drake Saturday night as the Cougars made their return to Missouri Valley Conference play.

“Overall, it wasn’t a great performance by our standards,” Head Coach Kevin Kalish said. “I thought outside of the first 15 minutes, our overall energy was decent, but our decision making and reading of the moments of the game were lacking.”

Andrew Kendall-Moullin / Photo by SIUE Sports Information

The Bulldogs (7-5-2, 2-1-0 MVC) scored the only goal of the game early in the first half when Jared Arde netted his fourth goal of the season.

SIUE (5-6-2, 1-1-0 MVC) held a 3-1 advantage in shots on goal, with Paul Scheipeterleading the Cougars with three shots.

“It was a typical MVC conference game,” Kalish said.  “Drake is a difficult place to play. Although we perhaps deserved a bit more out of this game, you make your own breaks and get what you earn. This performance was not up to the standard we have produced over the last couple weeks as a team.”

Next up is the final game of four consecutive road matches for the Cougars, as SIUE travels to Peoria for a match against MVC foe Bradley on Wednesday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“We now need to turn the page as we have a difficult, and important, road contest at Bradley in a few days,” Kalish added.  “It’s a big opportunity to respond in a positive way.”