Conway - Central Arkansas men's soccer's journey to defending its Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title kicked off today on a very wet and rainy afternoon against a Bradley University team that hadn't lost a match since October 21, 2017; a 12-game unbeaten streak. That streak would come to a close on the afternoon as Central Arkansas (3-3-1, 1-0-0 MVC) put together a complete game and was able to defeat the Braves (5-1-2, 0-1-0 MVC) by a score of 3-0.
 
It was a bit of a rocky start for the Bears as Bradley was able to generate some great chances early on including a header from Jake McKee in the 3rd minute that went just wide, as well as a strike from Saadiq Mohammed that flashed just wide of the post, nearly giving the Braves a 1-0 advantage in the 10th minute. It would be one of the best generated by the Braves in the first half.
 
The 15th minute saw Central Arkansas's first shot on goal become a one goal advantage for the Bears when Christian Ilia was able to find Niklas Brodacki on a perfectly lofted through ball over the top of Bradley's back line. Brodacki was able to run on to it, putting him in a one-on-one situation with Bradley keeper Albert Reinwart and he finished the move in style with a classy chip from six yards out, netting his 5th goal of the season.
 
Bradley would come close to equalizing in the 27th minute, as Gerit Wintermeyer found himself in a one-on-one situation with Marc Olsen. Olsen was equal to the task as he just got enough the ball to keep it out and keep the score a 1-0. Brodacki's strike in the 38th minute would force Reinwart to make his first save of the night and it would be the last chance either team created in the first half.
 
The second half got off to a flying start as the Bears saw their advantage double less than two minutes in. A lofted ball from Jake Bates put Brodacki behind the Bradley defense and this time Brodacki's strike from just inside the 18 yard box deflected off a Bradley defender on its way into the bottom left corner, giving him his second goal of the match and his 6th goal overall on the season. Despite having a two goal advantage, Central Arkansas would continue their relentless attack. In the 56th minute, a beautiful one-two combination play between Kasper Andersen and Brodacki sprung Andersen free and left him with another one-on-one opportunity for the Bears. This time Reinwart was equal to it as he was able to save Andersen's strike out for a UCA corner, leaving the score at 2-0.
 
Moiad Ankir would get into the attacking action for the Bears in the 72nd minute as he found himself in a great position just eight yards out from goal. Again, Reinwart was equal to the task as he was able to dive down quickly to his right side and get a strong hand on Ankir's strike. Just two minutes later, the Bears would get a third goal on a long throw in from Bates that was flicked on by Daltyn Knutson in the six yard box and eventually fell to the foot of Alberto Suarez on the back post as he tapped it in from point blank range. The Bears very nearly grabbed a fourth when Brodacki struck the post on a penalty kick opportunity in the 79th minute, denying him his hat trick.
 
Central Arkansas head coach Ross Duncan was pleased overall with not only the attacking side, but praised his back line as well on their performance today.


"I thought we got big performances from everyone that stepped on the field. I thought the energy from the start was what we needed. Defensively we were just beasts," said Duncan.
 
The Bears will travel to Oklahoma to face Oral Roberts on Tuesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.