PEORIA, IL - Western Michigan defender Nick Wysong converted a 20-yard free kick in the 28th minute and the Broncos (10-3-4) used a late team save to preserve a 1-0 win at Bradley Tuesday night at Shea Stadium.

With both teams playing for their respective conference titles Saturday, Bradley (7-8-0) started a youthful lineup of six freshmen, four sophomores and a junior in its non-conference finale. Freshman Albert Reinwart got the nod in the goal for the Braves and made three saves in an impressive debut.

Broncos keeper Drew Shepherd made only two saves, but he came through with a big early stop when he turned away Bradley freshman forward Will Kidd in a 1-v-1 situation in the 22nd minute.

Bradley's next best scoring opportunity came in the 82nd minute when Jacob Taylor threw a dangerous ball into the box on a line from the left flank. The ball was deflected in traffic, but a Broncos defender had Shepherd's back, clearing the ball off the line at the left post to keep the Braves off the board.

With an eye toward Saturday's showdown at Drake, Bradley used 21 players Tuesday. The Braves can clinch at least a share of their fifth Missouri Valley Conference title with a road win against the Bulldogs. Both with 12 points based on 4-1-0 league records, Bradley enters the finale tied atop the league standings with SIU Edwardsville, who hosts Loyola Chicago Saturday. Drake (3-1-1) also has championship aspirations, sitting in third place with 10 points.