PEORIA, Ill. –  In a game matching a pair of unbeaten programs, #18 Bradley and Memphis combined for just one shot on goal in the second half, but it proved to be the game-winning strike as the visiting Tigers (5-0-1) handed Bradley (4-1-2) its first loss of the season Friday night with a 1-0 decision in the second game of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic at Shea Stadium.

Bradley controlled the possession for big chunks of the second half, outshooting the Tigers 7-2 after the break, but Memphis forward Mark Sherrod broke loose on a quick counter to score the game-winner at 80:14.  Running onto a long ball from Wil Linder, Sherrod lost his left shoe near midfield, but kept up his sprint into the left flank and hit a left-footed shot from the top of the 18 inside the right post for his fifth goal of the year and fourth game-winner.

Though he did not need to make a save on any of Bradley’s 11 shots, Memphis keeper Conor Hurley picked up his second shutout of the year.  Bradley did manage to get one shot past Hurley in the 62nd minute, but Matt Kuehl’s back header off a long throw hit off the cross bar and the Tigers were able to clear before Bradley could knock home the loose ball.

While Bradley pressured throughout the second half, Memphis controlled the first half, when the Tigers outshot their hosts, 10-4.  Memphis appeared to get on the board in the 34th minute when Bradley keeper Brian Billings was unable to hang onto a line drive free kick from Liam Collins.  The ball fell to a Memphis forward, who punched in the loose ball, but with a pair of Tigers behind Billings when the ball fell to the ground, Memphis was whistled offside and the goal was disallowed.

Memphis will play in what amounts to the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic championship game at noon Sunday, when the Tigers face another Missouri Valley Conference foe, Evansville.  The Purple Aces won Friday’s tournament opener, downing Loyola-Chicago by a 4-0 margin.  Jesse Sharp netted the game-winner in the 37th minute and assisted the first of Ryan Stallings’ two goals in the game’s final three minutes.

Bradley will take on Loyola (1-4-1) in the tournament finale at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

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