The Millikin men's soccer team held their own through a strong first half before falling 4-0 to Division I foe Bradley University on Friday, September 19 at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill.
 
The Big Blue battled in the opening 45 minutes, keeping the Braves off the scoreboard while generating chances of their own. Goalkeeper Chase Mandra turned away five first-half shots to keep Millikin level at the break, while Olav Kaldahl, Nick Orr, and Clayton Gibson each created looks at goal.
 
Bradley broke through on a penalty kick in the 50th minute and added three more goals in the second half, but Millikin continued to battle, finishing the night with seven shots, including two apiece from Orr and Kaldahl. Gibson, Bryce Davis, and Kyle Borcherding also put efforts on frame to test the Braves' back line.
 
Defensively, the Big Blue rotated three goalkeepers—Mandra, Christian Smith, and Joshua Garrett—who combined for eight saves against Bradley's 38-shot attack.
 
Millikin (2-4-0) will use the experience against a Bradley as fuel moving forward when they return to action on Sunday, September 21 at Rockford University.