UE comes into Friday’s game after completing its bye weekend from conference play. The Aces were last on the pitch at Arad McCutchan Stadium over a week ago in their close 2-1 loss to then No. 10 Missouri State. Senior forward Kai Phillip was Evansville’s hero in the final minute of the match on the 18th as he scored UE’s lone goal of the game on an assist from midfielder Ola Arntsen. With almost a week and a half of rest, Evansville is looking to close out the final stretch of Valley play with two wins.
To get that first win, the Aces will have to break the red-hot Bradley Braves. The Braves come into Friday’s match with a two-game unbeaten streak after a 1-1 tie with UIC and a 2-1 win over Drake. Overall Bradley has a 5-4-6 record and a 1-4-1 conference record. All five of the Braves wins have come on the road including a four-game stretch to begin the season in August and September. Bradley has also benefited from having players return from injuries down the stretch as Pepe Mellado had a free kick goal against Drake and Claudel Ngongang, who found the net within 15 minutes of his comeback against UIC.
A win on Friday evening is crucial for the Aces who are fighting for a spot in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Currently, Evansville can either grab the 5th or 6th seed with wins against Bradley and Belmont. UE could also make the tournament with a win and a draw if Drake and Bradley both end the season with losses.
