After losing a close one to the #5 team in the country on Friday night, the Rams returned to action two days later with a seemingly easier opponent, Drake University, in Des Moines Iowa. In the end, the Bulldogs prevailed over the Rams 3-1.

Freshman, Ricky Berotti, took the start in goal, the first action of his collegiate career. Drake was a very unwelcoming host for him, though, as they jumped out to the early 1-0 lead in just the third minute of action. After a Thomas Ostrander shot was deflected in front of the net, Matt Kuhn gathered in the loose ball on the scrum and beat Berotti for the first goal of the game.

Berotti did make two saves early-on in the game, the first two stops of his career, and down 1-0, the Rams had a chance to score in the 18th minute, when Casper Gimand lifted a shot at net that was stopped by Bulldogs' keeper, Rich Gallagher. The save preserved the 1-0 lead for Drake.

Drake extended their advantage to 2-0 in the 30th minute. In the corner, Kyle Whigham lifted the ball into the box and Ross Payne put the ball in the lower left corner of the net.

Fordham got on the scoreboard five minutes later. Matt Courteny, who came on as a sub earlier in the half, scored courtesy of a John McHugh pass, bringing the Rams within 2-1. But Drake would record another score to take a 3-1 advantage into the locker room. In the 43rd minute, Jarred Arde played the ball back into the box and blasted off Berotti's hands into the back of the net.

In the second half, Drake's Thomas Ostrander tried to give the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead, but his shot was turned aside by Ricky Berotti, his fourth save of the day. The Rams would continue pressing on offense and had several opportunities to score.

From the 69th to the 74th minute stretch of the second half, Fordham pressed the attack and had several looks at the goal. In the 70th minute, John Niyonsaba lifted a shot that was turned aside by Gallagher. In the 73rd minute, Taylor Gulbins let go of a volley that went over the crossbar. Finally, less than a minute later, Julian Nageltook a shot that Gallagher parried to keep the score at 3-1 for Drake.

Nearly ten minute later, the Rams had another flurry of offense in the hopes of erasing the deficit. In the 83rd minute, Michael Stalker launched a shot that Gallagher stopped. Off a Nagel corner kick, Tim Richardson threw one on net and Gallagher recorded his fifth save of the match. Finally, Courtenay took a shot that went high. Drake ran out the clock and beat Fordham 3-1.

Berotti finished the game with five saves in his college debut. The Rams launched 15 shots compared to 13 for Drake. Fordham, now 2-2 on the season, continues the five-game road trip Thursday night against local rival, Columbia. The game begins at 7:00 P.M.

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