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1
Winner Bradley BRAD (10-7-2 (4-3-1))
0
Valparaiso VALPO (8-8-1 (3-5-0))
Winner
Bradley BRAD
(10-7-2 (4-3-1))
1
Final
0
Valparaiso VALPO
(8-8-1 (3-5-0))
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Bradley BRAD 1 0 1
Valparaiso VALPO 0 0 0

Johnson's Header Lifts Bradley by Valpo, 1-0

Braves ride third straight shutout to third in the final Missouri Valley Conference standings

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Game Recap: Soccer | | Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications
VALPARAISO, IN - Sophomore Jha'Lon Johnson headed home a service from Austin Bell in the 43rd minute and his second goal of the year stood up as the game-winner as Bradley (10-7-2, 4-3-1 MVC) completed the regular-season with a 1-0 victory at Valparaiso (8-8-1, 3-5-0 MVC) Saturday afternoon at Brown Field.

Bradley keeper Brandon Barnes made five saves, including four in the final 3-minutes and 6-seconds, to register his ninth full shutout of the season, helping the Braves overtake Valparaiso for third place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.  The most-improved team in the nation by W-L record, Bradley's final position in the league standings will not be determined until Evansville and Loyola Chicago play tonight, but the Braves will be no worse than tied for third (if Loyola wins), which would make Bradley the No. 4 seed for next week's MVC Men's Soccer Championship at Shea Stadium.  

Regardless of its seed, Bradley will play the 6 p.m. quarterfinal game Wednesday night at Shea Stadium.  The complete tournament schedule with final seeds and matchups will be announced Saturday night.

Bradley controlled the first half by outshooting Crusaders, 7-4, and boasting a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.  The hosts did not put a shot on target until the 70th minute.  At that point in the game, the Braves still held a 10-7 advantage in shots.  In the final 20 minutes, however, Valparaiso outshot the Braves 7-3 and really ramped up the pressure in the closing minutes by forcing Barnes into four saves in the final 3:06.  Barnes made the final stop of a Tyler Curylo header with just 10 seconds left to secure the win.

Both of Johnson's goals this year have been game-winners, but Saturday's header was his first goal against a NCAA Division I opponent and came in his 34th career game. He is now tied for second on the squad with his two winners this season, while Bell is fourth on the squad with his three assists.
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Players Mentioned

Austin Bell

#6 Austin Bell

F
5' 10"
Junior
Jha

#15 Jha'Lon Johnson

F
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Brandon Barnes

#1 Brandon Barnes

GK
6' 2"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Austin Bell

#6 Austin Bell

5' 10"
Junior
F
Jha

#15 Jha'Lon Johnson

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Brandon Barnes

#1 Brandon Barnes

6' 2"
Graduate Student
GK