BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Bradley soccer team lost for the first time during the 2023 season, falling at Bowling Green, 3-1. The Braves are now 4-1-4, while the Falcons improved to 4-3-2.
During the initial moments of the match, the Falcons' high pressure successfully stopped the Braves from bringing the ball up the field. Bowling Green opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Kyle Blasingame crossed the ball to find Trace Terry for the opener.
The Braves created a few promising chances before halftime. However, Bowling Green's goalkeeper kept the danger away, allowing the Falcons to hold a 1-0 after 45 minutes. DJ Koulai had two shots on goal during the first half.
At the start of the second half, the Falcons found the net again, but the referee invalidated the goal due to a previous foul on the play.
Bradley found the equalizer in the 75th minute when
Joao Saraiva scored from the penalty spot. The goal was Saraiva's second this season.
Both teams played at a high pace during the last 15 minutes of the game. The Falcons found the breakthrough with only eight minutes left on the clock as Trace Terry scored his second goal of the night to give Bowling Green a 2-1 lead.
Just one minute and a half later, Bowling Green firmly secured their victory, courtesy of a Jake Lane goal, extending their lead to 3-1.
Drew Berry was credited with three saves in the contest, while BGSU goalkeeper Brendan Graves tallied seven saves.
The undefeated start of BU's 2023 season is the program's third-longest in history, a testament to the leadership of Head Coach
Jim DeRose, who has guided the Braves to all of their top five best-undefeated starts.
Bradley Soccer's Longest 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. 4-0-4 in 2023
4. 5-0-2 in 2018, finished 8-5-4, 7th in MVC
5. 4-0-2 in 2011, finished 15-6-2, 3rd in MVC
The Braves will be back in action next Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. as they host Missouri State for Homecoming at Shea Stadium. The game will be available on ESPN+.
