PEORIA, Ill. - J.T. Kotowski netted an 87th-minute goal to prevent overtime and help Bradley University escape with a 1-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium.
 
The Panthers (1-2-1) and Braves (3-1-0) competed in a back-and-forth defensive affair that seemed headed to OT before Kotowski found a way to sneak in a bicycle kick attempt from short range at the 86:35 mark.
 
Senior Aaron Horvat nearly broke up the stalemate late, sending a shot off the cross bar in the 72nd minute.
 
Freshman Tinashe Marowa also had a chance, breaking free down the right side in the 80th minute, only to see his attempt saved by a leaping grab by Bradley keeper Logan Ketterer, who ended the day with three saves to post his third shutout in a row.
 
Freshman Josh Kaye made an important defensive play in the 77th minute, clearing a shot inches from crossing the goal line that had made it past senior goalkeeper Agustin Rey. But Kotowski played the hero role with just minutes left in regulation when he was able to finish off a throw-in sequence with a three-yard kick.
 
The Panthers controlled the run of play in the first half, recording six shots. Three of the attempts were solid opportunities, but none of the trio found the back of the net.
 
Freshman Francesco Saporito took a pass of his chest, turned and volleyed the ball out of the air in the 25th minute. A deflection off the final BU defender knocked it just wide of the post. Sophomore Nick Moon also collected a pass and opened up space on the left wing to give it a go from distance, missing high by just a few feet in the 34th minute.
 
For the game, Milwaukee outshot Bradley, 15-13, with both teams finishing with three on target. The Braves earned 10 of the 18 corner kicks and were whistled for 12 of the 21 fouls. Saporito led the offense with four shots.
 
Up next, it's off to the state of Washington for the first time since the 2005 season next, heading to Spokane to participate in a tournament at Gonzaga. The Panthers take on Houston Baptist Friday and the host Zags Sunday.

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