The Valparaiso University men’s soccer team came within minutes of a weather-shortened victory on Sunday afternoon in Peoria and even closer to a draw during Tuesday’s makeup match at Brown Field, but visiting Bradley utilized a late golden goal to edge the hosts 2-1. Valpo led as late as the 65^th minute in the fixture.

How It Happened

• Valpo was awarded a penalty kick in the 19^th minute and took full advantage, as junior Ryan Madondo (Franklin, Tenn. / Franklin Road Academy [East Tennessee State]) beat the keeper to his left.
• The two teams totaled only three shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes, with Bradley (2-3-3, 1-1-1 MVC) owning two of them. But Valpo’s lone shot on goal in the first half was the difference at the intermission.
• Madondo put an effort for a brace on goal in the 48^th minute, but Bradley goalkeeper Nathan Wisbey was there for the stop to keep the deficit at one.
• Brad Wintermeyer headed one into the back of the net from 10 yards out in the 65^th minute to equalize. John Pollifrone provided a corner-kick assist.
• Valpo had a chance late in the first overtime, but a header shot was saved.
• TJ Rea scored the golden goal late in the second overtime, sending the Braves into celebration after a tight showdown. The two teams played nearly 110 minutes of soccer just over 48 hours removed from playing nearly 70 minutes on Sunday. Valpo led the initial match 1-0 when it was wiped out due to weather less than four minutes away from becoming an official match.

Inside the Game

• Valpo improved to 2-for-2 on penalty kicks this season. Madondo’s was the first since Sept. 2, when Cole Rainwater converted against IU Northwest.
• Madondo became the fourth Valpo player with multiple goals this season. He upped his point total to five, which ranks third on the team.
• Madondo had five of the team’s 10 shots in the contest, including two of the four shots on goal.
• Freshman goalkeeper Edvin Holst (Stockholm, Sweden / Viktor Rydberg Gynmasium Jaraplan) notched three saves.

Thoughts from Head Coach Mike Avery

“Congrats to Bradley. It turned into a game that suited them, and they executed well. I thought we battled hard but didn’t quite have the legs. At their place we found spaces to build and possess, but tonight it just was a different game. There were a lot of aerial challenges, and we just weren’t composed enough to clear the lines.

“It’s been a really hard stretch over the last 30 days with travel and a heavy number of games. In a week where we thought we might get a break and an opportunity to recharge, we instead got some bad weather and had to play two games in 48 hours. It’s not unfair, it’s the same for both teams and it was the best option available, but it was a difficult set of circumstances for us. We will take a few days off and then get ready for SIUe on Saturday night. I love the fight we showed, but we need to add maturity and composure. I’m sure that will come.”

Up Next

Valpo (2-6-1, 1-3-0) will step outside of league action to face off with SIU Edwardsville on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Edwardsville, Ill. The match will be carried on ESPN+ with links to live video and stats available on VapoAthletics.com.