PEORIA, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's soccer team outshot Bradley by a 20-to-15 margin, but were unable to pick up the victory in a 1-0 loss on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
The Fighting Leathernecks (3-8-6) held Bradley scoreless until Brian Gaul found the game-winner in the 84th minute to send Western to its second-straight loss. The goal was Gaul's 12th of the season and came off a header at the 83:25 mark.
The Braves (8-8-2) were able to withstand a flurry of late chances by the Leathernecks, who recorded seven shots on goal in the second half, to secure the shutout.
In a tightly contested first half, Bradley held a ten to eight advantage in shots, but Andy Ryan made two saves and the Leatherneck defense cleared another ball off the line to keep the match scoreless at the break.
Western Illinois would push the tempo in the second half, outshooting the Braves by a 12 to five margin. The Leathernecks looked as if they might find the go-ahead goal in the 56th minute, but Bradley goalkeeper Brian Billings made four saves in a four-minute span and the Braves defense cleared a ball off the line to keep Western off the board.
The Braves had several quality chances in the 68th minute when they were awarded four corner kicks in a one-minute stretch, but the Leathernecks stayed strong and Ryan made his third save of the match on a header at the 68:41 mark.\
Bradley would finally break through in the 84th minute when Aodhan Quinn and Tommy Fritze teamed up for a double-assist on the goal by Gaul, who entered the match ranked 12th in the nation in goals scored.
Western Illinois would nearly find the equalizer with just moments remaining, but Billins made a save on a shot by James Raabe at the 88:26 mark to complete the shutout.
Nathan Bruinsma led all players with four shots, including one shot on target. Charlie Bales finished with three shots and four other Leathernecks recorded two shots. Western Illinois also had nine different players record a shot on goal and made two team saves in the contest.
The Leathernecks will conclude their regular season against Summit League leader UMKC at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Western Illinois needs a victory to stay in the running for a spot in The Summit League Tournament.
Saturday's match will also mark the final match for seven of Western's seniors.
