PEORIA, Ill. - Bradley junior forward Jason Lesch got just enough of a back flick to get the ball over the endline and his game-winner in the 89th minute set off a celebration that carried over to the 20-minute, postgame fireworks show to cap Bradley University's annual Homecoming weekend Saturday night.

 

Bradley (6-7-0, 1-3-0 MVC) finished the night with a 22-10 advantage in shots and just missed on several chances throughout the game.  It appeared UCA (2-10-0, 0-4-0 MVC) may have avoided another close call when Lesch flicked an Andrew Kovacevic service toward the goal.  Several Bears gave chase in an effort to clear the shot, but it just crossed over the line before the clearance attempt hit the underside of the crossbar and caromed back down at 88:39.

 

Already with the game's first five shots to Bradley's credit, Braves junior defender Grant Bell appeared to put the home side on the board with a 10-yard header from an Andrew Brown corner kick in the 20th minute.  The shot got by UCA keeper Harrison Veith, but a UCA field player was able to clear the ball at the goal mouth.

 

Despite Bradley's 13-2 first-half shots advantage, the Braves managed to get just three of those shots on target.

 

UCA provided more attacking pressure in the second half, but Bradley keeper Logan Ketterer needed just two saves to register his second shutout of the season.  In his first career start, Bradley freshman Clark Emerson led all players with five shots for the Braves and his two shots on goal matched UCA's team effort.

 

Bradley, which improved to 3-1 during its season-long, 5-game home stand, will wrap up the home stretch Monday with a 7 p.m. non-conference tilt against Omaha.