PEORIA, Ill. – The countdown to the start of the 2009 Bradley Soccer season got five days shorter today with the announcement that the Braves will visit in-state rival Western Illinois for an Aug. 20 exhibition game at Mackenzie Alumni Field.

The addition of the scrimmage versus the Leathernecks officially completes Bradley's 2009 schedule as the Braves now have reached the NCAA limit of 20 preseason and regular-season competitions.  After visiting Western Illinois, Bradley will visit No. 28 Louisville Aug. 25 in a second exhibition before kicking off its 18-game regular-season schedule Sept. 1 at Northern Illinois.

Bradley and Western Illinois have played 21 times during the regular-season, making the Leathernecks Bradley's most common non-conference opponent in the program's 23-year history.  Despite dropping a 1-0 decision in overtime last season at Shea Stadium, Bradley owns a 13-8-0 lead in the all-time series against its local rival.  The 13 wins against WIU are the most the Braves have enjoyed against any single opponent.