MACOMB, Ill. - Senior forward Chris Cutshaw scored the only goal of regulation in the 20th minute and the Bradley defense allowed only four shots on goal as the Braves opened the preseason with a 1-0 exhibition victory at Western Illinois Thursday evening at MacKenzie Alumni Field.
Cutshaw, who is the Missouri Valley Conference active leader with 22 career goals, controlled a Bobby Smith cross and slotted home a shot from five yards out to net the only goal of the game. Junior keeper Drew Van Kampen made two saves during the first 60 minutes of play and fellow junior Jim Schultz made two more saves in the final 30 minutes to combine for the shutout.
Bradley outshot Western Illinois, 15-11, and the Braves held a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Following the regular 90-minute scrimmage, the teams played an additional 30 minutes and Bradley tacked on an additional goal in the extra time when sophomore forward Christian Meza sent a 35-yard laser into the netting. Sophomore keeper Kyle Orne blanked the Leathernecks over the final 30 minutes.
The Braves will play a second exhibition game Tuesday evening at #28 Louisville, then will open the 2009 season Sept. 1 by visiting Northern Illinois. Bradley will open the home schedule by hosting Eastern Illinois, Memphis and Mercer in the Busey Bank Kickoff Festival at Shea Stadium. Following a 5 p.m. game between Eastern Illinois and Mercer, Bradley will host Memphis in a 10 p.m. contest Sept. 4 to complete the first day of tournament play.
