PEORIA, Ill. – It was a mild Tuesday afternoon in central Illinois as the Green Bay men's soccer team looked to bounce back from a loss against Purdue Fort Wayne last Saturday night. The Phoenix played to the tune of a defensive slugfest against the Bradley Braves, tying 0-0.
The draw moved Green Bay's record to 3-2-2 overall, while Bradley remained unbeaten on the season with a 4-0-4 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half started slowly offensively. Overall, there were just four total shots in the frame, and the first didn't happen until Caleb Ribeiro spun one off the mark in the 10th minute. GB's Aleks Pituch found an opening in the 23rd minute and fired Green Bay's first shot of the day, but it also missed. Both squads displayed relentless defense in the opening 45 minutes, not allowing a shot on goal en route to a 0-0 tie going into halftime.
After no shots were tallied in the first 6:38 of the second half, Green Bay was able to record four shots in just over 10 minutes, but the Braves kept the Phoenix away from the net. GB's stingy defense did not allow Bradley to notch a shot until the 68th minute, forcing Joao Saraiva to miss wide right. GB would outshoot the Braves 4-2 in the game's final 15 minutes and had a chance in the 78th minute on a Luca Contestabile header, but the Phoenix came up just short to draw Bradley 0-0.
GAME NOTES
- Only Luca Contestabile (2) and Jake Parish (2) tallied more than one shot for the Phoenix.
- Of the 10 total Green Bay shots, eight different Phoenix recorded at least one.
- Green Bay was charged with 12 fouls compared to Bradley's four.
- GB had two corner kicks in each half, while the Braves had one in each frame.
COMING UP
The Phoenix will visit Cleveland State for another Horizon League battle on Saturday, before returning home to face Wright State on September 30. Sept. 30 also marks the annual Soktoberfest game, which is sponsored by Badger State Brewing.
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