With a 2-1-5 record going into Friday, Bradley soccer made their way to Chicago for their first Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) game of the season against UIC.
The Braves hadn’t suffered a loss in almost a month, with their last coming at the hands of Omaha on Aug. 27, winning two games and drawing three since. But at the end of their trip north, they were unable to extinguish the Flames, losing 4-2.
The first 30 minutes were a defensive battle; neither side was willing to give up the first goal of the match. However, Bradley didn’t have a choice in the 31st minute as UIC midfielder Sebastian Khoury received a through ball into the box from defender Sota Nakazono and slotted the ball in from the left side.
Almost eight minutes after the first goal, senior Mitch Coughlon drew the game level for Bradley.
After the forward attempted a bicycle kick from just outside the six-yard box, freshman midfielder Liam Healey released a shot that hit a UIC defender and bounced right back to Coughlon, who pounced on the opportunity.
At halftime, the Flames were leading in the shot department, totaling 14 shots to Bradley’s six. Both goalkeepers had to make two saves to keep their teams in it, but little did they know that the second half would have a lot more action.
The first chance came only a minute and 56 seconds into the period when UIC midfielder Artem Grinblat converted a penalty kick after the Flames challenged a previously denied handball call in the box.
Grinblat found the back of the net once again 25 minutes later as a pass from defender Daniel Zepeda reached the freshman’s feet. Right in front of goal, Grinblat shot it just right of the keeper and extended UIC’s lead to 3-1.
Not long after the Flames’ third goal of the game, Bradley received a penalty when Coughlon was tripped up on the left side of the box. The referee originally allowed play to continue, but after review, he confirmed that Coughlon was brought down illegally.
The senior stepped up to the spot and kicked it right down the middle, scoring his second goal of the game and giving the Braves a chance to make a comeback.
Unfortunately for Bradley, UIC’s 13 second half shots led to a final goal five minutes after Coughlon’s penalty. A long range shot was saved by Bradley goalkeeper Marçal Salom Chandre, but Khoury regained possession inside the box and proceeded to score off the rebound, sealing the game for the Flames.
The Braves now stand at 2-2-5 on the year and start their MVC schedule 0-1. Bradley returns to Shea Stadium on Saturday for the Homecoming game against Bowling Green, which kicks off at 7 p.m.
