The average soccer player runs six miles each 90-minute game. Western, then, will run at least 12 miles this weekend. Two teams still undefeated in conference play, Drake and Creighton, will make their way to Bowling Green for what may be Western’s toughest games yet.

Coach David Holmes is grateful for the home field advantage during conference play.

“We aren’t in a position to be complacent,” Holmes said. “The nice thing is they both have to travel the distance to play us.”

But the team may need more than a home field advantage. Western takes on Drake (7-2-3, 1-0-2 Missouri Valley) at 5 p.m. Friday and will be seeing a lot of action from the Bulldogs’ offense.

As Western holds the 5-2 series advantage against Drake, it may need to be more concerned with Sunday’s game against Creighton (5-3-3, 2-0-1, MVC) at 3 p.m.

“It’s going to be an all-out battle, really physical,” Western senior goalkeeper Daryl Sattler said. “My only concern is that once the first whistle blows, we’re ready to play.”

Creighton boasts Guido Leon, who leads the conference with a 0.73 goals against average.

But Western may be just the team to end this strong defensive team’s winning streak.

“The teamwork for our team has been very upfront,” sophomore Richard Mupfudze said. “You almost can’t tell who’s a starter on our team.”

Reach Joanie Baker at [email protected].