PEORIA, Ill. -- Boasting a No. 9 national ranking in this week's CollegeSoccerNews.com Top 30, Saint Louis (2-1-2) will become the highest-ranked non-conference team to visit Bradley (4-1-1) in the five-year history of Shea Stadium when the Braves host the Billikens Saturday night.
Since Shea Stadium opened for the start of the 2003 season, the Braves have played five home games versus nationally-ranked teams, including four contests against Missouri Valley Conference rival Creighton. Bradley is 1-4-0 in its five previous games against the Top 25 at Shea Stadium, including a split against Creighton last year: the Braves knocked off then No. 15 Creighton, 2-1, in the regular-season finale to claim a share of The Valley's regular-season title, but dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to the #18 Bluejays in the championship game of the 2006 State Farm MVC Tournament. In addition to a 2-0 loss to #18 Creighton in the 2005 MVC Tournament final, Bradley also lost a 3-0 decision to #17 Coastal Carolina Sept. 20, 2003 in the only Shea Stadium visit by a non-conference Top 25 team.
The No. 9 ranking by Saint Louis in the current CollegeSoccerNews.com poll is the second-best ever by a Bradley non-conference visitor. The Braves upset #5 Notre Dame, 3-2, Sept. 19, 2002 at McClallen Park in Morton. Bradley's only other home win against a ranked non-conference team was a 4-1 victory versus #22 Bowling Green Sept. 11, 1999 at Chiefs Club Field at Becker Park. Overall, Bradley is 13-29-5 against the Top 25, including 7-12-1 at home.
While Saint Louis has climbed to as high as No. 9 in the national rankings after knocking off #2 Indiana, 2-1, last weekend to claim a share of its own Saint Louis/Nike Invitational, Bradley also continued to inch closer to the SoccerTimes.com Top 25 Coaches Poll. After posting back-to-back shutout wins against a pair of defending conference champions last week, Bradley rose three spots into a tie for fifth among the “Others Receiving Votes” in this week's poll of 16 coaches from around the country. In addition, the Braves rose four spots in this week's NSCAA/adidas Midwest Region poll to fourth place.
Saturday's game between Bradley and #9 Saint Louis will kick off at 7:05 p.m. at Shea Stadium and will be preceded by a pair of tailgate parties, one hosted by the Bradley men's basketball team and the other by the Braves Club booster organization. In addition, the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free sandwich coupon as part of the McDonald's “Arch” Rival Night promotion.
Bradley Soccer ticket prices for regular-season home games are $5 for adults, $2 for youth (K-12) and free for Bradley University students, faculty and staff, as well as active military members and their immediate families, with valid identification. Parking at Shea Stadium is $2 per vehicle.
Bradley vs. #9 Saint Louis
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 7:05 p.m.
Location: Shea Stadium (1523 W. Nebraska)
Pregame Tailgate Parties: Bradley Men's Basketball and Bradley Braves Club
McDonald's “Arch” Rival Night: Free sandwich coupon for the first 2,000 fans
Tickets: $5 adults; $2 youth (K-12); free for BU students, faculty and staff, as well as active military members and their immediate families with ID
On the Internet: www.bubraves.com
On the Radio: ESPN Radio 96.5 FM
