The Bradley soccer team continued their hot start to the season with two wins last weekend. The Braves (3-0-1) started their weekend with a hard-fought win vs. DePaul (1-2-1) and closed with a win versus Eastern Illinois (1-1-1).
Handling the pressure
The Blue Demons got off to a fast start against the Braves. In the first 20 minutes of the game, DePaul registered four shots and received four corner kicks. The hosts put relentless pressure on the Braves’ defense, but their efforts were not enough to score as the Bradley wall stood strong.
The Braves bent but did not break. Their first-half defense was highlighted by an ESPN Top-10 worthy save from junior goalkeeper Alex Grow. Bradley went on the attack with 15 minutes to go, registering six shots in seven minutes.
At the end of the first half, the score was tied 0-0, despite both teams having countless opportunities at goals.
Hold steady
The start of the second frame was eerily similar to the first. Both teams penetrated each other’s defense and got good looks at shots but could not hit the mark. Grow continued his stellar performance by saving two shots near the 50 minute mark.
Both defenses appeared to be tired from all the back-and-forth, and as a result there were a lot of miscues.
Bradley capitalized first on the miscues in the 63rd minute after a shot from sophomore forward Gonzalo Gil bounced off the Blue Demons’ goalkeeper and found its way into the net.
After a band of substitutions, DePaul looked to even the score, but the Braves’ defense got stingy. In the final 27 minutes following the score, Bradley’s defense, led by junior captain Charlie Dickerson, let up just three shots and squeaked away with the 1-0 victory.
Relentless attack
After a day’s rest, the Braves headed to Charleston, Illinois to face Eastern Illinois. Bradley was undefeated through three games for the first time since the 2019 season.
Despite playing just two days prior, Bradley looked well-rested in the first half. The Braves started the game with a lot of energy and determination. The forwards attacked the Panthers’ defense and scored their first goal within 30 minutes. The goal was scored by senior transfer Caleb Ribeiro, the first of his Bradley career.
After the first goal, Bradley did not slow down. The team played with great pace and executed perfect passes to penetrate the Panther’s defense. The Braves scored again just four minutes later, this time courtesy of junior Fransesco Pettinaroli.
The Braves’ defense was consistent again, led by Dickerson. In the entire first half, the Panthers registered just three shots and did not get a solid look at goal.
Commanding the lead
In the second half, Bradley seemed to be focused on controlling the clock. The Braves played within the pace of the game, made smart passes and kept the ball out of harm’s way.
Eastern Illinois struggled to generate opportunities early in the second half, resulting in just three shots in the first 20 minutes. As the game progressed, the Panthers got more aggressive. After a great deal of substitutes, the Panthers got chances at real scoring opportunities.
The Panthers finally broke through Bradley’s defense in the 87th minute to make the score 2-1.
With time winding down, Eastern Illinois frantically tried to even the score, but the Braves kept them at bay and took the win 2-1.
Taking two victories back to Peoria, Bradley improves to 3-0-1, their best opening stretch in four years.
The Braves look to continue their undefeated season on Friday against Western Illinois before playing their first home game in two weeks on Sunday against Mercer.
