Peoria, IL -- Bradley Soccer surges past Chicago State with 5-0 final.
It was a dominant showing Saturday afternoon as Bradley claimed its largest home win in 23 years and maintained its unbeaten mark at Shea Stadium!
Opening it Up!
There would be no better time for Bradley to get off to a fast start than in front of the home crowd on Family Weekend. Bradley started the match like a shot out of a cannon, needing only 103 seconds to find the back of the net. A free kick was headed around the six-yard box before Mitch Coughlon polished it off for his MVC-leading fifth goal of the season. The goal was assisted by Archie Heron and Connor Chester.
Bradley continued to mount pressure toward goal, shelling the Chicago State defense with a season-high 18 shots in the first half. Chicago State fared well in moments of danger for most of the half, with goalkeeper Jabulile Mooketsi getting a workout, making four saves and a number of stops on set pieces. However, that pressure eventually broke down the back line.
In the 40th minute, midfielder
Kael Drummond cleaned up a bouncing ball in the box to put the Braves up 2-0 with just under five minutes remaining in the half. That goal gave Bradley just enough time to get forward again, as freshman forward Bradley Missey collected the first goal of his career with 90 seconds left in the half. The goal was assisted by
Mitch Coughlon and Fjölnir Sigurjónsson.
Looking for More
As the second half opened, BU wouldn't collect a quick goal like it did in the first half but still managed to assert itself when needed. Bradley registered 11 more shots in the second half, forcing Mooketsi to make five additional saves. Bradley's best scoring opportunity since halftime came on a corner kick. Hunting the back post,
Anel Kafedzic powered a header into the ground that found its way to the back of the net, extending the Bradley lead to 4-0. The goal was assisted by
Archie Heron.
After a handful of additional chances and with the reserves entering the contest, Bradley mounted another threatening attack in the 84th minute.
Ivan Reyes nearly collected the first assist of his career on a goal that appeared to go in off the shin of
Connor Chester, but it was later ruled an own goal against the Chicago State defender.
Bradley would see out the final seven minutes comfortably, moving the Braves to 2-1-5 overall while Chicago State moved to 0-8-0 on the year.
How long has it been??
- It's the first time since 2002, and the fourth time since 1988, that Bradley has had two home games in the same season in which it scored at least five goals.
- Today's result also ties the program record for largest margin of victory at any of Bradley's home venues against a Division I opponent, matching the 6-1 win over Oral Roberts in 2000.
- Today's 5-0 effort against Chicago State is the program record for margin of victory against a Division I opponent at Shea Stadium. Bradley does own a 7-0 home result at Shea Stadium over Drury in 2003.
Bradley Soccer will be back in action on September 25 when the Braves make the trip to Chicago, Illinois, to open Missouri Valley Conference play against the UIC Flames. The match is set for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff from Flames Field and will also be available for streaming on ESPN+.
