EVANSVILLE - Scoring an early second-half goal, the University of Evansville men's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw with Bradley on Monday evening at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville.

"We talked all week about being consistent and the guys put a great week together and I think the first half was probably the best that we've played in quite some time," said Aces head men's soccer coach Marshall Ray. "But unfortunately, we're a little unfamiliar playing with a lead and I think got away from what got us to that point in the match. I give the guys a lot of credit and I told them after the game that to regroup and battle and fight and get a result after giving up a goal late and had a couple of chances in regulation to maybe get the win, but I'm proud of the fight and the effort the guys have put in, not only tonight, but this week and I think it showed in the first half."

Evansville was the clear aggressor in the first half, out-shooting the Braves, 7-3, in the first 45 minutes. The first opportunity for the Aces to go in front came in the 10th minute as redshirt junior Nicolas Likulia uncorked a shot from 25 yards out that forced a leaping save from Braves keeper Bryce Logan.

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Madden helped keep the match tied at the half, making a pair of saves in the first half.

The Aces got on the board less than three minutes into the second half. Sophomore Ethan Garvey launched a throw from the far sideline that was flicked on by fellow sophomore Matic Pavlic. As the ball bounded through the box, Likulia found the end of it, spinning and firing into the back of the net for his first goal as an Ace.

"I'm very proud of the way that Nico has trained the last couple weeks and the effort he has put in out on the field in training and in the last couple matches," said Ray on Likulia. "He was rewarded tonight with his first goal as an Ace and I look forward to many more of those in the future."

After the Aces went in front, Bradley nearly equalized immediately as the Braves put a shot off the post in the 51st minute. 

Evansville and Bradley each generated numerous opportunities in the second half, but it was the Braves who struck next, tying the game in the 83rd minute. In a similar situation to how Evansville scored, a ball into the box was flicked on twice before Rasmus Smidtslund scored to tie the match.

In the first overtime, Likulia headed a shot that was blocked and Bradley sent a shot wide to conclude the chances on the evening. The second overtime did not feature a shot from either side as the two teams compiled eight fouls in the overtime period.

The Aces out-shot the Braves, 15-12, on the evening with redshirt sophomore Jakub Hall recording a team-high four shots.

Evansville faces a quick turnaround with a trip to Drake upcoming on Friday at 2 PM in Des Moines, Iowa.
 

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