MACOMB, Ill. – Sophomore forward Wojciech Wojcik headed home a Marcus Schademann service in the 83rd minute, lifting #21 Bradley (6-1-2) to a 1-0 victory against in-state rival Western Illinois (3-4-1) Friday afternoon at John Mackenzie Alumni Field.

Sophomore keeper Brian Billings came through with five saves to earn his second shutout of the season.  He got some help from sweeper Tapiwa Machingauta who had a team save in the first half and deflected the home team’s last chance wide as the game clock expired.

The Braves got the game-winner after Christian Meza gained possession on the left flank and fed the overlapping Schademann into the corner.  Schademann made a couple of moves to free himself for the left-footed service, finding the 6-foot-3 Wojcik all alone in the center of the goal for the easy finish at 82:28 for his first goal of the season and second career game-winner.

Bradley prevailed in another close game as the outcome was the eighth consecutive one-goal decision for the Braves this season.  Bradley also improved to 15-8-0 all-time against WIU in a series that has seen a 1-goal decision in 11 of the last 12 meetings.

While Western Illinois provided the early pressure, Bradley gained momentum throughout the game and finished with a 20-16 shots advantage.

Bradley will return to action Oct. 1 when the Braves visit Massachusetts for the 500th game in the program’s 25-year NCAA Division I history.  The season-long, 4-game road swing will continue Oct. 3 at New Hampshire before wrapping up with the Missouri Valley Conference opener Oct. 8 at Drake.

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