PEORIA, IL – Bradley Soccer controlled play for most of the night, but needed a late Richard Olson goal to walk away with a 1-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson Friday night at Shea Stadium to wrap up day one of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic.

Bradley (1-1-1 overall) had three solid scoring chances in the first half, but was unable to find the back of the net with Fairleigh Dickinson keeper Julian Murillo Toro coming up with three saves in the opening 45 minutes.  The Braves held the Knights to just one shot in the first period with Javen Palmer’s attempt on a direct kick not finding the frame.

The opening moments of the second half saw another solid scoring opportunity by Bradley turned away.  The Braves finally broke through in the 88^th minute when Jason Lesch played a through ball into the box to a streaking Richard Olson, who buried a shot into the left corner.

Fairleigh Dickinson’s (1-2-0 overall) lone shot on goal came in the 63^rd minute and the Knights had just three shots in the contest compared to 10 shots for the Braves.

Earlier in the afternoon, 16^th-ranked Utah Valley doubled up Missouri Valley Conference rival Evansville 4-2 in the opening match of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic.

The teams will take the pitch at Shea Stadium again Sunday with Evansville taking on Fairleigh Dickinson at noon and Bradley facing Utah Valley at 7 p.m.

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