Peoria, Illinois – The Central Arkansas men's soccer team made program history on Saturday night, taking down the Bradley Braves 1-0 in Peoria, Illinois. The win, which was UCA's first road win against a Missouri Valley Conference opponent since 2012, was the Bears' second MVC victory of the season, marking the first time that they have won multiple conference matches in a season since moving to Division I in 2006.

"This is a huge result for us," said UCA head coach Ross Duncan after the match. "Picking up three points on the road in this conference is so difficult; and to pick them up against a team like Bradley, who never lets down, is a huge accomplishment."

Bradley (2-9-3, 0-4-1 MVC) controlled the ball for much of the first half, putting up five shots through the first 30 minutes, including an attempt from Richard Olsen that glances off the crossbar. Central Arkansas (4-7-1, 2-3-0 MVC) would take control around the 35^th minute however, taking the final three shots of the period. UCA would find the game's only goal in the 40^th minute, as freshman Jonathan Gilkes started the counter, playing a ball forward to sophomore Christian Ilia, who found freshman Niklas Brodacki in the box. Brodacki hammered it home from 12 yards out to put the Bears on top 1-0 with his MVC-leading eighth goal of the season.

UCA controlled the majority of the second half, taking seven shots in the period. Senior Wes Carson got a good chance in the 60^th minute, but his header went wide, while Brodacki fired a rocket near post in the 66^th minute that Bradley keeper Logan Ketterer somehow got a foot on to push it wide. The Bears got possibly their best look at an insurance goal in the 87^th minute, when Brodacki ran a give-and-go with Carson, but put his shot just off the post and wide.

The Central Arkansas defense, which allowed a pair of shots on goal in the first half, was dominant in the second half, limiting the Braves to just four shots, none of which were placed on target.

On the night, the Bears took 12 shots, placing four on goal. Brodacki was accurate with three of his five attempts on the night, while Ilia put one of his two shots on frame. In goal, freshman Marc Olsen made a pair of saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season.

"We had multiple players step up tonight," said Duncan of his squad. "The obvious ones are the guys on the scoresheet. Brodacki continues to be handful for all of the teams that we've played, but Christian came in and made a big time impact on the game; not only on the goal, but just in settling the game down as well. The shutout was definitely a team effort. Marc certainly played his part, but the back four and Jonny were immense. They not only won their battled on set pieces, but really limited Bradley to a couple of opportunities through the run of play."

The Bears take to the pitch at the Bill Stephens Complex on Tuesday night, for a non-conference match against regional rival Memphis. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.