PEORIA, Ill. – The 37th season of Bradley Braves men's soccer begins with a road game on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 7:00 PM at Chicago State, followed by the Braves' home opener on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 1:00 PM against Kansas City.
Bradley Notes
New Kids on the Pitch: Bradley welcomes 23 newcomers this season, accounting for 69.7% of the total roster (23 out of 33 rostered players). The Braves rank in the top three nationally in both total newcomers and percentage of newcomers on the roster.
An Old Friend: The Braves have 23 newcomers on the pitch this season, but they've welcomed an old friend back to the touchline.
Brian Barnett returns to
Jim DeRose's coaching staff this season after six seasons as the head coach at IUPUI. Barnett was on DeRose's staff from 2009 through 2016, helping the Braves qualify for three NCAA Tournaments (2010, 2011, 2013) and win two MVC Conference Championships (2010, 2013) during his eight-year tenure. Barnett's return rounds out Bradley's veteran coaching staff, with Assistant Coach
Tim Regan entering his seventh season as a Bradley coach and
Jim DeRose entering season 28 as head coach of the Braves.
Thursday Game Information
Bradley Braves (0-0-0) at Chicago State Cougars (0-0-0)
Date & Time: Thursday, August 24, 2023 • 7 p.m.
Location: Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep (Chicago, Ill.)
Live Coverage: ESPN+ |
Live Stats
Previewing the Cougars: Chicago State is entering its first season as an affiliate member of the Ohio Valley Conference after the Mid-American Conference dropped men's soccer after the 2022 season. The Cougars also enter the fourth season of a revived men's soccer program as the team returned in the 2020 season after a three-decade hiatus. The team finished last season 1-13-3 and 0-8 in MAC play, with its lone win of the season coming at home against St. Thomas. Chicago State returns its leading scorer, Danail Sergiev, who scored five goals last season. Sergiev knows the Braves well, playing with Bradley for his first two collegiate seasons, appearing in 14 games on the Hilltop.
Series History: Bradley and Chicago State have never faced off in regular or postseason play prior to Thursday's game.
