PEORIA, Ill. - Bradley junior Grant Bell assisted the tying goal and scored the game-winner, leading the Braves (7-9-0) to a 2-1 non-conference men's soccer win against visiting Belmont (3-13-0) Tuesday night at Shea Stadium.

 

Belmont scored early when Rashad Hyacenth collected a Tyler Vieth throw from midfield and chipped Bradley starting keeper Shay Niemeyer with a shot that caromed off the left post for a 1-0 Bruins lead at 7:58.

 

Bradley freshman Clark Emerson's first career goal pulled the Braves even in the 29th minute.  The tying sequence started with a Jason Lesch corner kick from the right.  Bell kept the ball moving across the goal mouth and Emerson finished at the left post at 28:42.

 

A Belmont corner kick minutes later ended Niemeyer's night as he suffered a knee injury after punching clear the Bruins service at 31:47.  Niemeyer was replaced by sophomore Logan Ketterer, who made two saves to keep Belmont off the board for the final 58:13.

 

After outshooting Belmont, 8-5, in the first half, Bradley tightened up even more defensively in the second half and finished the game with a 16-7 shots advantage, while also doubling up the Bruins on corner kicks, 10-5.

 

A long throw led to the game-winner, however, as freshman Jacob Taylor sent the throw in from the right sideline in Bradley's attacking third.  Cody Lofgren flicked the throw across the goal area and Bell re-directed for the go-ahead tally at 80:36 for his fourth goal of the year.

 

The Braves will play their final non-conference game of the season Friday by visiting Big 10 Conference newcomer Rutgers in a 6 p.m. (CST) clash Halloween night.  Bradley then will have a full week to prepare for its regular-season finale Nov. 8 against Missouri Valley Conference rival Drake at Shea Stadium.