EVANSVILLE – After reeling off three victories in the first six games for the first time since 2013, the University of Evansville men's soccer team will be looking to keep things rolling on Saturday as the Purple Aces will open up Missouri Valley Conference play at Bradley.
Men's Soccer Match Week No. 4
UE at Bradley (Saturday, 7 p.m.): Live Stats |
The Valley on ESPN3 |
BU Website
The Aces (3-2-1), who will be returning to Peoria after splitting a pair of matches at the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic two weeks ago, are coming off their best weekend of the season so far, drawing with Portland and beating Fort Wayne at the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic.
One of the main reasons the Aces have enjoyed success this season has been an offense that's off to its most consistent start in nearly a decade. UE has found the back of the net in each of the team's six contests this year. Jared Robinson and Ian McGrath have led the way with three goals apiece, accounting for more than half of the team's 11 goals. Zac Blaydes has been almost as important as he leads the MVC with five assists on the year. Jesse Stafford Lacey is second on the team with three helpers.
Defensively, the Aces have been led by the centerback duo of Trevor Baum and Chris Shuck, who have combined with goalkeeper Frederik Reimer to record a pair of clean sheets on the season. However, last week it was Matthew Keller who manned the net for UE as the Aces gave up just one goal from the run of play in two contests.
Bradley, meanwhile, will be looking to get back on track after dropping three consecutive matches. The Braves are currently 1-4-1 on the season and boast of the youngest team in NCAA Division I.
Kickoff on Saturday evening is set for 7 p.m. at Shea Stadium.
NOTES: UE is 9-16-1 all-time against Bradley … Last season, the Aces dropped a 5-1 decision Evansville … In the last match against the Braves in Peoria, which came during the 2014 campaign, the Aces pulled out a 2-1 victory before falling to BU a month later in the MVC Championship tournament … The two teams have met each season since 1994, which was the first season for the Aces in the Valley … UE won the first meeting in the series, picking up a 4-1 decision in Evansville … The Aces are 67-46-8 all-time against schools from Illinois.
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