Peoria, IL – The Bradley Braves drop the Homecoming game 3-2 to the Western Michigan Broncos.
With exactly 30 minutes remaining on the clock in the second half of a 2-0 game, sophomore
Anel Kafedzic scored off a corner kick from junior
DJ Koulai. The ball found its way into the penalty area off the corner kick from Koulai, as Kafedzic headed it into the corner of the net and past the post for his first goal of the season. Kafedzic becomes the seventh Brave this year to score a goal, the fourth to notch a goal and an assist across the season. This was Koulai's fourth assist of the season, moving him into the team lead.
Junior
Mitch Coughlon drew and scored a penalty kick with 6:30 left in the game, making it a 3-2 game. This was Coughlon's seventh goal of the season, elevating him to third place in goals across the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Braves and Broncos trudged through the rain in this duel, with a mist starting during lineup introductions, which turned from a drizzle to a brisk rain by kickoff, only coming down harder throughout the contest, staying a consistent downpour until the final whistle. Not only did this create a slick playing surface with wet balls, but it also made it difficult for players to see on the pitch.
The Braves had several great chances late, including a ball that went off junior
Ian Ferguson's head and onto the right post with just over 10 minutes left in the contest. Freshman
Connor Chester had a shot with 5:30 on the clock that flew just wide past the fingertips of the Bronco keeper. Ferguson had another post shot with just over three minutes remaining on the clock.
Senior
Drew Berry notched seven saves in the contest, putting him 11 saves behind eighth place in the Bradley soccer record book.
Koulai led the Braves with three shots, as Ferguson and Fifth Year
Kevin Mejias both had a pair of shots.
