Peoria, IL – The Bradley Braves will travel to Evansville to face the Purple Aces, as Bradley will fight for their first conference win on Evansville's senior night.
Game Information
Bradley Braves 2-7-5 (0-3-1 MVC) at Evansville 4-3-7 (2-0-2 MVC)
Date & Time: Friday, October 24th | 6:00 PM CST
Live Coverage: Live Stats |
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Location: Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville, IN
All-Time Series: Bradley Leads 21-13-4
The Braves Keep Grinding
Junior
Mitch Coughlon has notched two goals in the past two games, including a penalty kick against Western Michigan. This season, Coughlon is averaging a goal scored every other game. Coughlon's seven goals are the most by a Brave in a single season since nine were notched in 2019. Coughlon's seven goals land him in third place across the Missouri Valley Conference this season.
Senior
Drew Berry has played every second in net for the Braves, with the Valley's most total saves with 73 and the second-best saves per game at 5.21. Berry doesn't just have the lead, but is 23 saves ahead of the pack. Berry and Evansville's Michal Mroz are tied for the most minutes played in the Valley by a goalie, each recording 1260.
Junior
DJ Koulai earned his 3,000th minute played against UCF, notching an assist in each of his last two games. Koulai is now tied for third place in the Missouri Valley Conference with assists, recording four.
Sophomore
Anel Kafedzic recorded his first goal of the season against Western Michigan. Kafedzic scored one goal for Lindenwood last season. The transfer has played in all 14 games this year for the Braves, starting a dozen times. He's played in 956 minutes, the second most for both newcomers and defensemen.
Senior
Michael Switala earned his 4,000th career minute against UCF. Throughout the season, the Braves have rotated the captain's armband. Yet Switala has held onto this honor as of late, wearing it in Bradley's last game against Western Michigan. Switala is tied for the second-most goals on the team with three.
About the Opponent
The Purple Aces are coming off back-to-back road draws; a 0-0 final at Drake and a 2-2 duel at UIC. The last time Evansville was home, they earned a 2-0 victory over Western Michigan. Freshman Andres Escudero is making sure the Valley knows his name, with eight goals on 20 shots, tied for the second-most goals in the Missouri Valley Conference. The youth continues to shine for Evansville, as sophomore defender Martin Wurschmidt hasn't missed a second for the Purple Aces. Wurschmidt is 2-2 on penalties this season. Mroz hasn't missed a second in net for Evansville, recently earning the Valley's defensive player of the week. Mroz enters the match with a 0.93 goals against average and five shutouts.
Series History
The Braves are 21-13-4 all-time against the Purple Aces. In Evansville, Bradley also controls the series lead, 9-6-4. Last year against Evansville, the Braves lost 0-2 to the soon to be conference champions. In the 11 other matches since 2016, the score has always been within one goal, except for a 2-0 Bradley victory in 2019, played in round one of the conference tournament in Chicago, a neutral site.
