Bradley University freshmen Molly Dahlquist and Chase Coffey both won the 3,000 meter steeplechase to highlight action for the Bradley track and field teams at the Lee Calhoun Memorial Invitational Saturday. Running the first steeplechase of her collegiate career, Dahlquist won the women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase by nearly 40 seconds, finishing in a time of 11:01.98 and posted one of five top-five finishes on the day for the women’s squad. In the men’s 3,000 meter steeplechase, Coffey edged Knox College’s Kevin Box by four seconds with a time of 9:42.23 to win the race. Coffey’s time ranks as the fifth best 3,000 meter steeplechase in program history. Marquette took both the Men’s (160 points) and Women’s (202 points) team events at the meet. Click here for complete Invitational results.
-Bob
Eureka College junior guard Jordan Kindred knocked down two of the Red Devils nine 3-pointers and dished out six assists to reach 10th place on the all-time EC list, but Division I Western Illinois overpowered the Red Devils down the stretch for a 73-52 non-conference victory, Tuesday night at Western Hall in Macomb, IL. The Red Devils (5-5) knocked down three of their first five 3-point attempts, including a triple from junior forward Dustin Fritsch with 16:04 remaining, to claim an early 11-7 lead. The Leathernecks (6-4) promptly answered with six straight points to take their second lead of the game, but Kindred pushed the Red Devils back in front with a 3-pointer for a 21-18 cushion at the 10:14 mark. Western Illinois responded by scoring 12 of the final 14 points over the final 10 minutes of the half to carry a 30-23 advantage into halftime. Obi Emegano scored 25 points for the Leathernecks to lead all scorers. Junior forward Don McAvoy scored 14 points off the bench and Jack Houpt added 10 points in the victory. Western Illinois held a 22-5 advantage in bench points and scored 25 of its 73 points off EC turnovers.
-Bob
Sophomore forward Wojciech Wojcik headed home a Marcus Schademann service in the 83rd minute, lifting #21 Bradley (6-1-2) to a 1-0 victory against in-state rival Western Illinois (3-4-1) Friday afternoon at John Mackenzie Alumni Field. Sophomore keeper Brian Billings came through with five saves to earn his second shutout of the season. He got some help from sweeper Tapiwa Machingauta who had a team save in the first half and deflected the home team’s last chance wide as the game clock expired. The Braves scored the game-winning goal after Christian Meza gained possession on the left flank and fed the overlapping Schademann into the corner. Schademann made a couple of moves to free himself for the left-footed service, finding the 6-foot-3 Wojcik all alone in the center of the goal for the easy finish at 82:28 for his first goal of the season and second career game-winner.
-Bob
Bradley University junior forward Bryan Gaul resumed his goal-scoring binge by heading home the game-winner in the 84th minute for a 1-0 victory versus Western Illinois Tuesday night at Shea Stadium. Gaul’s team-leading 12th goal of the year also was his fifth game-winning tally of the season. Freshman goalkeeper Brian Billings made a career-best eight saves to register his second shutout of the season, helping the Braves (8-8-2) even their record with their fifth win in the last nine games.
-Bob
Westerrn Illinois senior quarterback Matt Barr threw for a record six touchdowns, and rushed for another, as the Leathernecks defeated in-state conference rivals Illinois State 65-38 Saturday at Hanson Field. The senior quarterback became the only Leatherneck to throw for 400 or more yards in consecutive games, completing 22-of-25 passes (88% completion rate) for 452 yards and 6 touchdowns. Matt also rushed for 40 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown late in the first half. His 88 percent completion rate set a WIU single-game record while his touchdown throws set a conference 2010 season-high and came within one the Missouri Valley Conference record. Barr’s 452 yards were the second-most in program history and third-most in MVFC history.
-Bob
