CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Braves remain unbeaten after a 2-1 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers, continuing its impressive run to begin the 2023 season. Bradley now has a 3-0-1 record, while EIU falls to 1-1-0.
This is the first time the Braves have been updated through four games in a season since 2018 when Bradley went unbeaten in its first seven games (5-0-2).
Game Recap
The Braves set the tone in the opening half, creating numerous dangerous scoring opportunities. BU outshot the Panthers 10-3 in the opening 45 minutes with four shots on goal. The Braves dominated the first few minutes of play until they finally found the breakthrough.
Caleb Ribeiro got the scoring started in the 31st minute with a well-placed strike into the upper-left corner past the goalkeeper for the first goal of his Bradley career.
After substituting on in the 32nd minute,
Francesco Pettinaroli doubled the Braves' lead in the 35th minute, tapping in the second goal of the game after a pass from
Yohance Douglas into the center of the penalty area. The Braves would take the 2-0 lead into halftime.
During the second half, the Braves commanded the pace of the game, focusing on maintaining ball possession to decrease the intensity and slow the pace down. With heat beginning to set in among all players, Eastern Illinois began to rally and generate effective scoring chances in the final 15 minutes. EIU was able to break through and tally a goal in the 87th minute to cut the Bradley lead to one. The goal broke a 286:46 shutout streak by Bradley goalkeepers, dating back to the season opening game at Chicago State on Aug. 24.
The Braves held off the Panthers' offensive pressure in the final three minutes to preserve the 2-1 victory.
Notable Statistics and Performances
Bradley has the highest win percentage (.833) among the top five teams in the nation in total newcomers (excluding JV teams).
Ribeiro and Pettinaroli's goals were their first of the season. Ribeiro's goal is the first of his Bradley career and Pettinaroli's goal is the second of his career, making him tied for third among active players in career goals (
Pepe Mellado, 5 goals;
Patrick Fishburne, 4 goals). Douglas' assist was the first goal he factored into during his collegiate career.
Twelve Braves recorded a shot, with Pettinaroli being the only Brave to record two shots, both on goal. Bradley tallied five shots on goal to EIU's two SOG.
Drew Berry was credited with one save in the contest.
Six yellow cards were issued by the referee throughout the contest, four of which were shown to Panthers.
Coming up...
Bradley concludes its three-game road trip this Friday in Macomb, Illinois, squaring off against Western Illinois at 4 p.m.
