In their final two games before the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, Bradley soccer (4-10-3) fell against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (5-7-2) but took home a victory on Senior Night versus Incarnate Word (2-13-1).
Last Saturday night, the Braves fell to the SIUE Cougars 1-0 at Shea Stadium.With junior Nick Burke injured, freshman Drew Berry started in net and on the other side of the field, the Braves were unable to record a shot on goal.
“My defense in front of me performed well but we struggled a little offensively,” Berry said. “After we conceded it turned into a spark to turn things on. We’re just trying to keep that for the full 90 minutes.”
Berry recorded three saves and earned himself a start on Wednesday night versus the Incarnate Word Cardinals. The Braves took the match 2-1 on the last home game of the season.
An early first-half goal was gifted to the Braves after a cross deflected off a Cardinal defender for an own goal. The Braves held the lead until late in the second half when Incarnate Word tied the match. Then, redshirt freshman Alex Nicastro scored the equalizer in the 78th minute, propelling the Braves to victory on Senior Night.
Head coach Jim DeRose has been very thankful for the upperclassmen leadership on the team.
“I’ve been beyond humbled and impressed with how they have led during a difficult time in terms of wins and losses,” DeRose said. “They have maintained themselves as quality young men, student-athletes and representatives of the university.”
Obviously, DeRose and the Braves wanted more than just four wins during the regular season. For much of the year, injuries plagued the team and made it hard to compete in close games. Bradley had a fairly healthy looking squad on Wednesday night and is looking to make a Cinderella run in the MVC tournament.
“It’d be great if we could have the same group of guys play but that’s been the whole year,” DeRose said. “I hope, for us, we’ll have our best 11 out there. If we’re healthy, we’ve been competitive.”
A matchup with the Drake Bulldogs awaits the Braves on Sunday at 12 p.m. in Des Moines. Bradley split the season series 1-1 with Drake this year, with their only win in the Valley coming against the Bulldogs. If they win, they will square up against MVC juggernaut Missouri State.
