Edwardsville, IL -- Bradley Soccer battled to a draw against SIUE
Bradley Soccer recoded their fifth draw of the 2026 season after a hard fought 90 minute battle against former MVC foe SIUE. The result moves Bradley to 1-1-5 on the season while SIUE moves 1-4-1.
In a match that would truly test the moniker "a game of inches," Bradley and SIUE put on an entertaining non-conference contest that featured a total of 25 shots. The match opened with both sides looking to break the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes, with SIUE's Ryley Gibbs and Bradley's Mitch Coughlon exchanging chances that veered just left of goal. The SIUE "66ers," as they were rebranded for the game, would then get on the front foot, attempting to increase the offensive intensity.
SIUE would outshoot Bradley 7-2 in the first half, highlighted by a sequence that saw the 66ers fire three shots toward goal within a two-minute span. The opening half would end relatively quietly following a handful of corner kicks by the home side.
The second half began a little differently than the first, with Bradley emerging as the aggressor out of the gate. The Braves controlled more possession and peppered the SIUE goal with five shots over a 10-minute span, with the fifth finding the back of the net off the foot of Connor Chester in the 58th minute. The goal was assisted by two fellow underclassmen, Liam Healey and Max Manzelmann. For Chester, it marked the third goal of his career.
Following the goal, SIUE quickly went hunting for an equalizer, and it wouldn't take long to find one. Nine minutes after Bradley opened the scoring, SIUE capitalized on a ball that fell near the edge of the penalty area. SIUE's Archie McDonnell smashed the ball back toward goal and past the Bradley defense to level the match at 1-1 in the 68th minute.
The final 20-plus minutes would be the tightest of the match, with both sides seeing multiple scoring opportunities either pushed away or sent just wide of goal. Elliot Forestier and Amos Nlend Boum would frequently test Bradley goalkeeper Marcal Salom Chandre down the stretch, but Salom Chandre rose to each occasion, steering away free kicks and pushing away shots from inside the penalty area.
Bradley would have the final say in the closing minutes, with Bradley's Missey nearly calling game with less than five minutes remaining. A shot that was played back inside appeared destined for goal, but the crossbar got in the way, keeping the match level.
The Braves would have one final opportunity as time expired, with Mitch Coughlon nearly finding his way through to goal. However, the final whistle would sound shortly after, bringing an entertaining 1-1 draw to a close.
Bradley Soccer will be back in action this coming Saturday, September 19, when the Braves host the Chicago State Cougars for Family Weekend. The match is set for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff at Shea Stadium and will also be available to stream on ESPN+.
