Bradley soccer (4-6-2, 1-3 MVC) traveled to Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday to face the Wildcats in their lone SEC matchup of the season. The Braves were in control for most of the game but let up a goal in the final minutes, leaving the Wendell and Vickie Bell soccer complex tied 2-2.
Wildcats pounce
Kentucky started the game strong, efficiently moving the ball through Bradley’s defense and generating shots on goal. In the first 20 minutes, the Wildcats outshot the Braves 4-3 and generated two corner kicks.
Bradley’s defense stood pat despite the barrage from Kentucky’s offense, refusing to fall prey to the Wildcats’ attacks. Junior goalkeeper Drew Berry made three heads-up saves early, which kept the score 0-0.
Despite Berry’s play, Kentucky stayed on the attack. In the 45th minute, the Braves conceded their first goal when Wildcats senior midfielder Martin Soereide chipped in a shot to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Predator becomes prey
In the second half, there was a visible change in the Braves’ mentality. Already down 1-0, Bradley became far more aggressive in their attack.
In addition to being aggressive, the Braves were also efficient. Bradley’s first two shots of the half led to two goals, one from senior defender Charlie Dickerson and the second from sophomore forward Dj Koulai, which gave the Braves a 2-1 lead.
Kentucky was on the ropes. The momentum they’d gained from the packed crowd and a 1-0 lead had quickly been pried from their claws.
However, the Wildcats were determined to protect their territory and responded with the tying goal in the 84th minute. Fifth-year senior Nick Zielonka found the net and saved Kentucky from a loss in front of their home crowd.
After the goal, both teams scrambled to find the equalizer, but neither could gain the upper hand, ending the game in a tie.
Bradley is back in action Saturday at Shea Stadium for senior night versus MVC rival Drake.
