PEORIA, Ill. - Both Bradley and Missouri State had a chance to score on a loose ball in the box, but only the visiting Bears (6-3-2, 2-1-1 MVC) took advantage of their opportunity and rode that good break to a 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer victory versus the host Braves (5-5-1, 0-3-0 MVC) on a cold Saturday night at Shea Stadium.

In the game's 11th minute, Missouri State right back Francesco Capone played a service from the deep right flank to 10 yards in front of the Bradley goal.  Braves keeper Drew Van Kampen came off his line and attempted to collect the lob in traffic, but when he could not make a clean catch, Missouri State's Nick Dryden found himself in perfect  position to tap home the loose ball into an open net.

Dryden's second goal of the year was the first of just three Missouri State shots on goal in the game, but keeper Alex Riggs made nine saves to preserve the shutout, his sixth of the year.

Bradley applied plenty of pressure in the second half, putting eight of their 10 shots in the final 45 minutes on target.  The home team's best opportunity to even the score came on a corner kick in the 85th minute.  Left back Bryan Gaul played the right side corner to the top of the six yard box, where Valley scoring leader Chris Cutshaw was able to connect for a clean header.  Riggs knocked the shot down, but right to Bradley midfielder Justin Bigelow's feet.  Unlike Missouri State's chance in the first half, however, Riggs was able to recover and collect Bigelow's shot.

Bradley finished the game with a 14-10 advantage in shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal.

The Braves will try to salvage the final game of their three-game homestand Wednesday night when they host MVC rival Evansville in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Shea Stadium.