Bears and Blue Raiders Tangle on the Soccer Pitch
The Bradley Central and Cleveland soccer teams faced the elements and each other Thursday night without either being able to dent the nylons, at Bear Stadium.
When the varsity took the stage both teams faced high wind gusts and rain.
Both teams had chances to score in the first half, but both Skylar Pirkle for Bradley and Daniel Almarez for Cleveland were able to keep the ball out of the back of the net.
The Bears' Alan Vives also headed a ball off the line in the first half, to keep the Blue Raiders off the scoreboard.
The second half was back and forth as well, with both team's defenses stepping up big.
For the game, Pirkle recorded seven saves for the Bears, while Almarez recorded four.
The night started with the JV teams also battling to a 0-0 tie.
At one point during the game it was raining so hard, you could not see out of the press box windows. However, both teams handled it well and were able to provide the fans with an entertaining game.
Cleveland had the best chance to score first in the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick. However, Bradley’s junior keeper Brady Russell was able to get a couple of fingers on the shot and push it just enough to where it ricocheted off the post and out of bounds.
The Bears then had their chance when Reynaldo Vasquez found himself one-on-one with the Cleveland keeper. His shot went wide left however and the game finished 0-0.
Russell recorded 10 saves for the Bears. Cleveland had eight corner kicks, compared to just one for the Bears.
Bradley (4-5-3, 0-2 District 6-4A) is back in action next Tuesday at home as they take on McMinn County. Game times are 5 and & 7 p.m. Thursday night will be Senior Night as they take on Tyner.
Cleveland (4-5-1, 2-0) will battle Walker Valley (7-4, 2-0) for the District 5-4A regular season title next Thursday at Benny Monroe Stadium.
The Mustangs, which were nipped by East Hamilton (3-4) by a 2-1 tally Thursday, will travel to Howard (4-2) on Tuesday.
