PEORIA, Ill. ? The Bradley soccer team will play its 18th Missouri Valley Conference opener on Wednesday night, hosting the Eastern Illinois Panthers at 7 p.m. at Shea Stadium. The first 500 fans through the gates on Wednesday will receive a free inflatable soccer seat cushion. The game against the Panthers is the first of a two-game conference homestand.

Fans are also invited to a tailgate party this Saturday at 4 p.m. before Bradley's soccer match against second-ranked Creighton at Shea Stadium. The event is being sponsored by the Hotels at Grand Prairie and proceeds will benefit the St. Jude Children's Hospital. There is no admission charge for the tailgate, but donations will be accepted.

Food and games are scheduled for the event, which is open to the public and is scheduled to run through kickoff at 7 p.m, when the Braves host Missouri Valley Conference rival Creighton. Saturday night's game against the Bluejays will also be a "Red Out", as fans are encouraged to wear red. The first 1,000 fans will also receive a red Bradley t-shirt.

The Braves and Bluejays have shared the last two MVC regular season championships and have combined to win the last three MVC Tournament titles, with the Braves earning a 1-0 victory over Creighton to win the conference tournament championship game last November in Omaha, Neb.