PEORIA, Ill. -- The Bradley Braves look to get their first home win of the season as they challenge formerly nationally ranked #18 SIU-Edwardsville. Both the Braves (4-0-2) and Cougars (4-0-1) are undefeated during the 2023 season. The Cougars dropped out of the Men's Soccer Top 25 Poll after only playing once since Sept. 8th. SIUE received six votes in the Sept. 12th poll to be ranked again.
Saturday Game Information
Bradley Braves (4-0-2) vs SIU Edwardsville (4-0-1)
Date & Time: Saturday, September 16, 2023 • 7 p.m.
Location: Shea Stadium (Peoria, IL)
Live Coverage: Watch (ESPN+) |
Live Stats
Last time Out
The Braves drew against Mercer, 1-1, on Sunday, Sept. 10, in the 14th Annual Danny Dahlquist Memorial Game.
Jared Sinnaeve scored his second goal in as many games, a long-range goal selected by ESPN as #3 on SportsCenter's Top-Ten Plays on Sunday.
SIU-Edwardsville Notes
Previewing the Cougars: SIUE started the season with an impeccable record, remaining undefeated in their first five games. This marks their strongest start since 2018, when they were also 4-0-1 after five games. SIUE is no longer a conference opponent for the Braves as the Ohio Valley Conference picked up men's soccer beginning this season.
Deep Roster: The Cougars feature a deep roster, strategically rotating their players in each game to maintain a well-rested squad. In their recent matchup against Western Illinois, SIUE played a total of 18 players from their roster, giving key players the chance to rest.
Hey Do I Know You?
The in-state rivalry of Bradley and SIUE is one that spans up and down the state of Illinois. With the proximity of the two schools, many players from both sides have either played with or against each other in high school, college or in summer leagues. There is a total of 15 student-athletes from the state of Illinois between the two rosters.
Bradley players from Illinois SIUE players from Illinois
- Mitch Coughlon, Washington - Mitchell Murphy, Quincy
- Caden Frank, Bloomington - Connor Gramke, Edwardsville
- Austin Waite, Naperville - Wes Gibson, Morton
- Camden Kowalski, Mundelein - Colin Bastianoni, Naperville
- Ian Ferguson, Lake Zurich - Ethan Kornas, Huntley
- Andrew Sanchez, Chicago
- Ivan Reyes, Addison
- Jared Sinnaeve, St Charles
- Cohen Musschoot, Marengo
- Alex Nicastro, Algonquin
Bradley Notes
Heritage Hunt: Since the creation of the program in 1987, the Braves have achieved an undefeated start six games or more into a season four times before 2023. Following BU and Mercer's 1-1 draw on Sunday, the undefeated streak extended to six games for the fifth time in BU's history. The Braves are looking to get their first home win this season on Saturday.
Bradley Soccer's Best Undefeated Starts:
1. 11-0-4 in 2002, finished 14-6-4, 5th in MVC
2. 7-0-2 in 1998, finished 14-2-2, 1st in MVC
3. 5-0-2 in 2018, finished 8-5-4, 7th in MVC
T4. 4-0-2 in 2023, currently active
4-0-2 in 2011, finished 15-6-2, 3rd in MVC
6. 5-0-0 in 2000, finished 15-7-2, 4th in MVC
