FORT WAYNE, Ind. –  Two games, two game-winners for Bradley senior forward Bryan Gaul (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley H.S.).  Bradley’s preseason All-American converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute and the Braves (2-0-0) allowed only two shots on goal in a 1-0 victory Sunday afternoon against IPFW (1-1-0) at the Hefner Soccer Complex.

Both teams were coming off decisive, 4-1 wins Friday night:  Bradley at Butler and IPFW at Milwaukee.  Utilizing a deep bench and with the rare benefit of less travel than the home team, the Braves appeared to have the fresher legs Sunday afternoon.  Bradley finished the game with a 20-12 advantage in shots and sophomore keeper Brian Billings (Apple Valley, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary’s H.S.) needed to make just two saves to earn his first shutout of the season.

IPFW forward Max Touloute, who scored a hat trick in Friday’s 4-1 win at Milwaukee, was held without a single shot by the Bradley defense.

The Braves just missed on a chance to score in the game’s third minute when Gaul’s volley off a corner kick hit off the post.  Mastadons keeper Ryan Bristol turned away a pair of shots in the 35th minute, one on a long blast from Luke Wayslik and a Gaul header at the right post from a Wayslik service.  The extended Bradley possession ended when Cecil Jeffrey fired wide on a blast from the top of the box in the 38th minute.

The Braves broke through in the 40th minute after sophomore forward Ross Williams drew the PK on a penetrating drive deep on the right side of the penalty area.  Gaul, who had two goals, including the game-winner, and assist in Friday’s 4-1 win at Butler, converted with a low blast inside the right post at 39:40.

IPFW did not manage its first shot on goal until the 45th minute, when Billings easily corralled an Alex Stronczek header.

Bradley missed on a great scoring chance in the first minute of the second half when Bristol could no clear Matt Kuehl in his attempt to catch a Bobby Smith long throw.  The ball fell to Alexei Davies-Campbell, but the freshman midfielder’s attempt from the six-yard box was deflected wide right.

IPFW’s best scoring chance came in the 62nd minute when Colin Helmrich collected a loose ball at the top left corner of the penalty area, but with Billings caught scrambling back into position, Helmrich’s right-footer sailed wide right.

After opening the season with its first two games on the road, Bradley will open its 2011 home schedule by hosting former Missouri Valley Conference rival Eastern Illinois Thursday night.  The Braves also will welcome Green Bay Saturday night, before returning to the road.  Both home games this week will kick off at 7 p.m. at Shea Stadium.

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