PEORIA, IL - J.T. Kotowski converted a penalty kick with 1-minute, 2-seconds left in regulation and Bradley (4-4-0, 1-0-0 MVC) earned its fourth straight 1-0 home victory to kick off The Hotels at Grand Prairie Soccer Series versus Loyola Chicago (3-3-2, 0-1-0 MVC) Friday night at Shea Stadium.

 

In front of a Bradley University Homecoming crowd of 1,517 in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams, the Braves drew an 89th minute corner kick and after an initial Loyola clearance, the Ramblers were called for a hand ball just inside the top of the penalty area as the ball was sent back into the area.

 

Kotowski, who also scored the game-winning goal in Bradley's last home game Sept. 6 versus Milwaukee, calmly buried the resulting penalty kick, setting off a jubilant celebration from the Shea Brigade support group right behind the goal and setting the mood for the annual Homecoming postgame fireworks show, presented by Avanti's.

 

By making five saves, junior keeper Logan Ketterer recorded his fourth shutout of the season and the Braves recorded their fourth consecutive home shutout for just the third time in program history.  Bradley had not recorded four consecutive home shutouts since the end of the 1998 season.  In terms of game time, the Braves have not allowed a goal at Shea Stadium since the semifinals of the 2014 MVC Tournament versus SIU Edwardsville, a streak that now stands as the third-longest in program history at 365-minutes, 50-seconds.

 

Loyola finished the game with a 20-8 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks, but the Ramblers challenged Ketterer with only five shots on goal.  Bradley put three of its eight attempts on target.  Ramblers keeper Tim Dobrowolski made one save and was aided by a team clearance in the first half.

 

The Hotels at Grand Prairie Soccer Series will continue Sunday when Bradley hosts Air Force in a 3 p.m. non-conference tilt at Shea Stadium.