Originally posted Oct. 24, 2015 and shared again Oct. 24, 2020 for This Date in Bradley Soccer History, presented by Prairie Farms
CONWAY, AR - Bradley continued its recent offensive outburst by scoring three times in the game's first 40 minutes, then held on for a 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference win at Central Arkansas Saturday night at Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex.
The Braves (7-7-0, 4-0-0 MVC) now have opened conference play with four consecutive wins for the first time in the program's 29-year history. The fourth straight league win grew bigger about a half-hour after its completion when SIU Edwardsville rallied for a 3-2 win in double overtime at Drake.
The combination of results put Bradley alone in first place atop the MVC standings as the Braves prepare to host SIU Edwardsville next Saturday at Shea Stadium. Bradley can claim at least a share of the MVC regular-season title and a bye into the semifinals of next month's MVC Men's Soccer Championship by winning at least one of its final two Valley games. After hosting SIUE (3-1-0 MVC) Saturday, the Braves will close out the regular season Nov. 7 at Drake (3-1-0 MVC).
Central Arkansas finished Saturday's game with a 24-5 lead in shots, but Bradley put four of its five attempts on target and found the back of the net three times inside the opening 40 minutes to build a 3-0 lead. Saturday's start gave the Braves a streak of 10 consecutive unanswered goals, dating back to the first half of their 5-1 win Oct. 10 at Evansville.
Junior midfielder Alex Garcia opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he finished from eight yards out. Joe Morales and Grant Bell, The Valley's scoring leader and assists leader entering the game, combined to set up Garcia for his second goal of the season and a 1-0 lead at 8:48.
Sophomore Richard Olson added his third goal of the season in the 21st minute and freshman Frank Bak scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 40th minute by finishing off a corner kick possession. Bell assisted all three goals as the senior forward contributed at least three points for the third consecutive game. In addition to leading The Valley with nine assists so far this season, Bell moved into sixth on Bradley's career assists list with his 18th career helper.
Although Central Arkansas fell to 1-12-1 overall and 0-4-0 in The Valley, the host Bears refused to away quietly, firing off the game's final 18 shots. Chris Holmes scored twice for UCA, pulling the Bears to within 3-1 at 43:23 and completing the scoring at 64:19.
Bradley keeper Logan Ketterer rebounded from the two goals by making six of his 10 saves in the final 20 minutes, including a pair of impressive reflex stops to keep the Braves in front.
Saturday's game against SIU Edwardsville will kick off at 7 p.m. at Shea Stadium and the Braves will honor their four seniors in a pregame Senior Night ceremony.
