PEORIA, Ill. -- Sophomore midfielder Keegan Balle (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) has been named the Bradley Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week announced Wednesday after scoring the game-winning goal in last week's NCAA Tournament first round match against Loyola-Chicago.
Balle netted the game-winner against Loyola in the 86th minute to help Bradley to a 2-1 win against the Ramblers and set up a second round matchup with 12th-seeded Louisville this past Sunday. In Sunday's 3-2 double-overtime loss at Louisville, Balle assisted Bryan Gaul's game-tying goal with 26 seconds remaining to force the extra period. A health science major, Balle owns a 3.00 cumulative grade point average.
Each week, a Bradley student-athlete is selected as the Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week. The individual chosen must be at least a sophomore in class standing and boast a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, while displaying a level of athletic excellence.
Balle and the Braves finished the 2011 season with a 15-6-2, while making consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history.
