PEORIA, Ill. – Freshman midfielder Alex Garcia registered his first career point and the team’s active career scoring leader Wojciech Wojcik added to his numbers as the duo combined for the only goal of the first day at The Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic, lifting host Bradley (1-0-0) to a 1-0 victory against New Hampshire (0-1-0) in the tourney nightcap Friday night at Shea Stadium.

Bradley extended its winning streak in season-openers to 12 games and improved to 11-0-0 all-time in Shea Stadium season openers.  Garcia fired a shot from the top of the 18 and the ball was deflected to Wojcik, who slotted a 15-yard shot across the goal mouth inside the right post for the game-winner at 58:31.

In Friday’s tournament opener, Evansville (20) and Massachusetts (13) combined for 33 shots, but neither team could break through in a scoreless draw.  Massachusetts freshman keeper Nick Ruiz made nine saves and the Minutemen defense pulled two other balls off the line to preserve the shutout.

Bradley senior goalkeeper Brian Billings made seven saves to earn his 14th career shutout.  Though New Hampshire outshot its host, 22-14, Billings was not challenged most of the night.  He made one sliding save on a tight shot at the near post in the 66th minute, then flicked another close-range shot, a header from his goalkeeping counterpart Travis Worra, over the cross bar inside the game’s final 10 seconds.

Hosting the fifth annual The Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic, Bradley will try for its first-ever championship in the event when the Braves host Massachusetts in the tourney finale at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.  That game will be preceded by a 10:30 0a.m. clash between Evansville and New Hampshire.  Evansville, UMass and Bradley all will enter the final day with a shot at the tournament championship.

Bradley Athletics Mission
Provide every student-athlete the opportunity for both a distinctive education and championship experience
Accountability | Courage | Diligence | Integrity | Respect

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