SPRINGFIELD, MO – Upset-minded Bradley (2-7-2) jumped on top early, but regular-season champion and ninth-ranked Missouri State answered with a trio of goals involving Nicolo Mulatero to earn a 3-1 victory against the Braves in the semifinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Championship Tuesday night at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium.
The Bears (10-1-0) advance to the championship game and will host No. 3 seed Loyola Chicago (7-3-2) Saturday afternoon at Allison South Stadium in a battle for the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Providing early pressure, Bradley got the scoring started in the fifth minute off a throw in sequence in its attacking end.