EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Jordan Barnes played the role of super-sub Saturday as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated Drake 1-0 in Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer action at Korte Stadium.

SIUE, which scored in the 79th minute, improved to 9-5-1 overall and 4-1 in the MVC. The Cougars now have two conference road games at No. 10 Creighton and Missouri State left on the regular season schedule before heading to the MVC Tournament Nov. 10-14 in Peoria.

The Cougars moved into a virtual tie atop the MVC standings with Creighton. MVC standings give three points for a conference win, one for a tie, and no points for a loss. Creighton is 4-0 in league play.

"The guys played good today. We stuck with it and got the winner late," said SIUE Head Coach Kevin Kalish.

Outshooting Drake 13-6, SIUE controlled the flow of most of the game. There were several chances for scoring in the game but none as open as the one that would score.

Benny Jeffery would center the ball from about 15 yards out on the left side to the far post. Barnes settled the ball in the box with a pair of teammates beside him. Without Drake defenders rushing to him quick enough, Barnes took two steps to his left and buried the shot past Drake goalkeeper Jordan Kadlec.

"It was a good counter attack. Give credit to Benny for getting forward. Jack (Twellman) did what he should do and penetrated by running at the back four. Jordan found a way to cut it back, re-direct it with his left foot, and put it far post," said Kalish.

SIUE had shots coming from all angles in the game. No Cougar took more than two shots, and Barnes' shot was his only one of the game. Jared Tejada, Randy Roy, Brian Groark, Chris Anzalone, and Jeffery each finished with two apiece.

The Cougars set the tone in the first half by outshooting the Bulldogs 9-2. Drake, now 6-7-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the MVC, evened it up 4-4 in shots during the second half.

"I thought we made some tweaks at halftime. I give credit to our guys for making some adjustments but most importantly just for battling and staying together," Kalish said.

Nick Collico earned his third shutout of the season with a pair of saves Saturday. He lowered his goals against average to 0.98.

"Nick has been consistent ever since we put him in. We are fortunate to have some good goalkeepers in this program. Nick has been fantastic. He is calm. His communication is good. And he is saving what he should save," said Kalish.

It was the first time Drake had been shut out in eight games dating back to Sept. 25 when Saint Louis edged the Bulldogs in overtime in St. Louis.

The Cougars travel to Creighton (11-2, 4-0 MVC) next Saturday in Omaha, Neb. The regular season finale for the Cougars is Nov. 6 in Springfield, Mo., against Missouri State (5-5-2, 3-0-1 MVC).

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