DES MOINES, Iowa. – Drake men's soccer (2-6-2, 1-2-1) returned to Des Moines this evening for their first of two-straight home matches. The Bulldogs battle Missouri Valley Conference newcomer Northern Illinois (3-6-1, 0-2-1) to a 1-1 draw.
Drake's leading scorer AJ Franklin got the Bulldogs on the board early with penalty kick goal in the 15th minute after NIU's Jakub Drazek commited a foul in the box. Franklin's goal was his fifth of the season and second in as many matches.
The Bulldogs carried their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Northern Illinois came out of the break with increased energy but could not initially convert on their opportunities.