MSOC Earns 3-2 Victory Over Drake In Late Night Season Opener

Thursday, August 24

Milwaukee, WI

7:30 PM

Marquette University

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Drake

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Drake

Marquette

MSOC Earns 3-2 Victory Over Drake In Late Night Season Opener

8/25/2023 1:21:00 AM | Men's Soccer

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Caceres nets first goal of season on PK

By: Communications

MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University men's soccer team (1-0-0, 0-0-0 BIG EAST) opened its 2023 season with a 3-2 win against Drake (0-1-0, 0-0-0 MVC) Thursday night at Valley Fields.

"It was the best of times and the worst of times," head coach Louis Bennett said on the opening match. "We showed when we move forward with speed and purpose, we can be very dangerous and it showed in periods of the match tonight."

In what was a physical battle between the two teams, the Golden Eagles were able to strike first following a Drake penalty in the box in the 19^th minute, resulting in senior Edrey Caceres finding the back of the net on a PK, giving MU a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

As the physicality in the match intensified into the second half, Drake's J.P. Pascarella opened the half with a goal in the 56th minute from 20 yards out, tying the match at 1-1.

In the 75^th minute, Drake's Jackson Kirsch found the back of the net to put the Bulldogs ahead 2-1.

The Golden Eagles responded back in the 79^th minute with Mitar Mitrovic finding Brooklyn Merl for a match-tying goal after breaking through the Bulldogs' backline.

The deciding goal came in the 80^th minute by way of a spectacular set piece by Edrey Caceres.

"I practice that shot every day, I spend 20 to 30 minutes after practice working on it," Caceres said on the deciding goal. "I knew when got on the ball that it was it going in."

Matthew Iriarte, Ryan Amond, and Antonio Costabile all made their collegiate debut for the Golden Eagles tonight.

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles will host Purdue Fort Wayne at Valley Fields at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27^th.

Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).