DES MOINES, Iowa – Western Illinois rallied from two goals down in the second half, but a late goal by Drake lifted the Bulldogs (4-5-0) to a 3-2 win over the Fighting Leathernecks (2-5-2) on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Drake took a 1-0 lead in the first half when a shot deflected off a Leatherneck defender and into the back of the net for an own goal in the 43rd minute.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half of play, outshooting the Leathernecks by a 12 to three margin while putting six shots on target and taking six corner kicks to Western's one.

Drake would tack on what looked like an insurance goal in the 49th minute when Charles Schwartz put home a deflection for a 2-0 lead.

Western Illinois would storm back, retaking momentum when Nathan Bruinsma gathered a long ball from Charlie Bales in the right corner of the box in the 57th minute and found the back of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Leathernecks would tie the match when Adam Rappin hooked a ball into the upper left corner of the goal in the 75th minute. Husref Jupic picked up the assist on the play.

The match seemed headed to overtime, but the Bulldogs would notch the game-winner on a give and go with just under a minute remaining to come away with a 3-2 lead.

Western Illinois was able to control play for most of the second half, taking 12 shots to Drake's five while putting five shots on goal. The Leathernecks were also awarded three corners to the Bulldogs one in the second frame.

Andy Ryan (2-5-2) was tagged with the loss despite tying a season-high with seven saves. Western was outshot during the match by a 17 to 15 margin, including 10 to six in shots on goal.

Rappin led the team with two shots on goal while Oskar Gasecki and Darryl Odom each recorded three shots. Bruinsma recorded two shots while Daniel Lewis and Cosimo Patano each took one shot.

Western Illinois will return to Summit League action on Saturday when it travels to Centenary for a 7 p.m. match against the Gents.