Roos Hold On for Road Victory over Bulldogs

Monday, September 7

Des Moines, IA

7:00 PM

Kansas City

3-1-1, 0-0-0

Drake

3-1-2, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Kansas City	1	0	1
Drake	0	0	0

Ian Witis-Hughes stalks the midfield during the Roos game at Drake

Photo by: Josh Walker

Roos Hold On for Road Victory over Bulldogs

9/7/2026 9:29:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

Playing with 10 for most of the second half, Kansas City kept Drake out of goal for the win

DES MOINES, Iowa - A little pressure proved no problem for Kansas City Men's Soccer tonight as they hung on to take down Drake, 1-0, for the Roos' first road victory of the 2026 season. A red card early in the second half meant Kansas City played the final 40 minutes with their backs to the goal, but the defense held true and Brandon Kincaid made a season-high four saves for the Roos' third shutout in five games played.

The first half was fairly even; Kansas City had a slight edge in possession, but the Bulldogs made their opportunities dangerous. Kincaid was kept busy, batting down a shot from the Bulldogs' Landon Benge in the 13th minute before making a first-rate save on another Benge shot in the 29th. Drake found room out wide and sent the Kansas City back line in a frenzy with Benge sneaking through and finding space. A cross found his foot for a shot that seemed destined for goal, but Kincaid sprawled out, making a right-footed kick save to keep the game level.

Moments later, Ian Witis-Hughes proved once again that he needs little time to make an impact on the game. Just two games after scoring his first career goal, he found the back of the net for his second tally of the season, one that proved to be the eventual game-winner. Brice Miller Jr. and Witis-Hughes entered the game in the 30th minute with fresh legs, both involving themselves in the 32nd-minute goal. Miller's excellent vision in the midfield found Brevyn Cole with acres of space up the right side, and a perfect pass sent him streaking towards the 18-yard box. Cole put a cross to the center of the box and Witis-Hughes beat his man to the spot, sending the ball spinning into the back netting.

Two minutes into the second half, a battle in the air turned into a second yellow card for Raphael Kistmann, and the Roos were forced to play down a man for the rest of the game. Drake created some early opportunities with the advantage, forcing Kincaid into his third save in the 55th minute.

From there, Kansas City settled into a defensive mindset, calmly piling into the box, dispossessing the Bulldogs and clearing the ball away.

Rinse and repeat that process, and it paints the picture of the second half. Kincaid was forced into just one more save in the game's final 35 minutes, coming on a fairly benign shot. Cole, Bryson Gosch and Miguel Fernandez played the full 90 minutes in the back line, with the defensive presences of Ales Kohoutek and Guille Munoz solidifying a fortress around the box.

The win was a rare one for the Roos: it is the program's second win at Drake in 19 chances and the first win in Des Moines since 2001. It also brings the Roos home after an unbeaten road trip, pairing with the draw against No. 3 SMU to move Kansas City to 3-1-1 on the season.

The schedule will not get any easier from here, as Kansas City hosts No. 8 Michigan State at Durwood Soccer Stadium on Sep. 11, followed by a road trip to (RV) Missouri State and another home game against No. 7 San Diego.