MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Wisconsin-Milwaukee used three consecutive second-half goals to end Bradley's eight-game road unbeaten streak as the Panthers (3-1-1) earned a 3-2 non-conference men's soccer victory versus the visiting Braves (3-2-0) Tuesday afternoon at Engelmann Field.
Bradley was 6-0-2 in its last eight games away from Shea Stadium, equalling the school record for consecutive away games without a loss. The 2002 Braves originally set the record by going 5-0-3 in their first eight games away from then home field McClallen Park in Morton.
Junior forward Zach Bell (Rochester, Ill./Rochester H.S.), who was named Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week Monday, put the Braves on top early when he scored his third goal of the season in the seventh minute. The goal came after a restart as Steve Chromik found Bell by chipping a free kick over the defensive wall from 25 yards out.
Despite being outshot 9-4 in the first half, the Braves took a 1-0 lead into halftime. Bradley could not withstand Wisconsin-Milwaukee's contant pressure in the second half, however. The Panthers went to the air to score three times in a span of 11-minutes, 36-seconds midway through the final period. Junior forward Steve Sperl netted the equalizer on a header at 62:08, then quickly earned his second goal of the season in the 68th minute with a rocket from the middle of the box. Dale Weiler got credit for the game-winner at 73:44 with another Panther header, following a Bradley giveaway in the back.
Sophomore forward Nick Mentgen (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S.) scored in the second consecutive game, pulling Bradley within 3-2 at 84:23, but the Braves could not manage another shot in the final 5:37.
Before Tuesday, Bradley had allowed only one goal and 11 total shots on goal in the season's first four games. Wisconsin-Milwaukee managed to get eight of its 19 shots on frame.
After playing three games away from home in a span of five days, the Braves will return home this weekend to host IPFW, UC Irvine and Missouri State in the third annual Bradley Classic at Shea Stadium. After Missouri State plays the 5 p.m. game both days, Bradley will take on IPFW Friday and UC Irvine Saturday in the 7:30 nightcaps. Admission prices for Bradley soccer home games is $5 for adults, $2 for youth (K-12) and seniors and free for Bradley University students, faculty and staff.
