CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Sophomore forward Teddy Anderson headed home the game's only goal in the 76th minute and goalkeeper Chris Dunsheath made five saves for his league-best seventh shutout of the season, leading Bradley (9-4-1, 2-1-1) to a Missouri Valley Conference road win versus instate rival Eastern Illinois (4-7-2, 1-2-1) Wednesday afternoon at Lakeside Field.
Despite playing without regular defenders Adam Hage and James Hedges, both due to injury, Bradley held the hosts to eight shots by just four individuals. Sophomore reserve Todd Reedy earned his first start of the season, second in 25 career games, and played the full 90 minutes in an impressive fill-in effort in the back line. Meanwhile, senior defender Will Shelton drew the primary marking assignment versus Eastern Illinois scoring leader Jimmy Klatter and helped limit the Panther forward to a lone shot.
Outshot 5-2 in the first half, Bradley turned up the pressure in the second half and finished the game with a 9-8 advantage in shots. The Braves also evened the corner kick total (4-4) with a 3-1 advantage in the second half. One of those corners proved to be the difference as Anderson headed home Ryan Raschke's service at 75:39 for his fifth goal of the season and team-best fourth game-winner.
Bradley evened the all-time series versus Eastern Illinois at 7-7-1 by running its unbeaten streak against the Panthers to six games (5-0-1). More importantly, the Braves got their second result in three Valley road games (1-1-1) this season and grabbed some momentum as they prepare to host a season-long four-game home stand.
The home stand will begin Saturday when the Braves host Evansville in a 7 p.m. Valley contest at Shea Stadium. One of the feature events of Bradley University's Parents' Weekend, ticket prices to Saturday night's game are $5 for adults, $2 for youth (K-12) and seniors and free to Bradley students, faculty and staff. In addition to the game, popular local band Curbside will perform live in the Shea Stadium tailgate area beginning at 5:45 Saturday evening.
