Bradley Stays On The Road For Week Three
In search of its first win away from Shea Stadium this season, the Bradley Soccer team will get two more chances this week by participating in the NIU-adidas/Baymont Inn Invitational in DeKalb, Ill. Bradley will take on Big Ten Conference member Northwestern at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the NIU Soccer Complex, then will have a day off before facing tournament host Northern Illinois in Sunday's 1:15 p.m. contest.
Coming off Sunday's 2-1, overtime loss at Illinois-Chicago, Bradley will face three consecutive opponents from the Land of Lincoln for the first time since Oct. 1-5, 1997 when the Braves swept three consecutive home games against Loyola-Chicago (1-0), Northwestern (3-1) and Illinois-Chicago (3-1).
The Streak Comes to an End
? Bradley's remarkable overtime unbeaten streak came to an end Sunday night when Illinois-Chicago's Tonci Skroce scored in the 96th minute for a 2-1 Flames victory in Chicago.
? Bradley had gone 10-0-14 in its previous 24 overtime games, a streak that dated back to Nov. 12, 2000, a 2-1 loss to Creighton in four overtimes in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game.
? The 25-game unbeaten streak in overtime was the longest running streak in the nation and it was believed to be an NCAA record (The Bradley sports information office has been unable to confirm that is a record, but has never received word that it was not a record in repeated attempts to research the streak through the national office and SID contacts).
Some More Streak Notes
? Bradley's streak of overtime play without allowing a goal ended at 328 minutes, 43 seconds, the equivalent of more than three-and-one-half games.
? The goal by Illinois-Chicago's Tonci Skroce Sunday was the first overtime goal allowed by the Braves this millineum.
? Sixty-one players contributed to the streak during its more than five seasons of existence.
Donoho Nets First Goal
? Junior Joe Donoho netted his first career goal Sunday, putting the Braves up 1-0 in the sixth minute at Illinois-Chicago.
? Donoho is a 6-foot-3 defender who transferred from Rutgers last January.
Offense Has Been Quiet
? Joe Donoho's goal Sunday was the result of Bradley's only shot on goal in two road games last week.
? The Braves were held without a shot on goal in Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Cincinnati and did not get another shot on target in the final 90:02 Sunday at Illinois-Chicago.
? Bradley managed only eight total shots in the two road games last week.
? The lack of offense last week came in great contrast to the opening weekend at Shea Stadium, when Bradley fired off 32 combined shots versus St. Francis (13) and Duquesne (19).
Northwestern Series Notes
? Bradley owns a 3-0-0 all-time record versus Northwestern in a series that dates back to an unusual, 4-1 double-overtime win Oct. 27, 1996 in Evanston.
? In the days before sudden-death overtime, Bradley's Jim Rasmussen recorded a hat trick in extra time by scoring in the 99th, 101st and 118th minutes for the 4-1 win.
? Friday's meeting will be the first-ever neutral-site contest against the Wildcats.
? Bradley has won the previous three meetings against Northwestern by a combined 10-2 tally, including a 3-0 victory in the most recent matchup, Aug. 30, 2002 at McClallen Park.
Bradley-NIU Series Notes
? Northern Illinois owns a 7-5-2 lead in the all-time series versus Bradley, but the Braves have enjoyed a good deal off success againt the Huskies of late.
? Bradley is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings against Northern Illinois and the Braves are working on a four-game winning streak versus the Huskies.
? Bradley has outscored Northern Illinois 13-1 during the current four-game streak.
