SPRINGFIELD, MO - Top-seeded Missouri State battled seventh-seeded Bradley and pulled out a 2-0  win in Thursday's second semifinal match in Springfield, Missouri, advancing to the final of the MVC Men's Soccer Tournament on Sunday.  The No. 23 ranked Bears improved to 11-1-4 on the season. 

The Bears will look for their fourth MVC Tournament title, including third-straight, Sunday at 1 p.m. against Evansville.  

MSU dominated the match from the start, firing off nine shots in the first 29 minutes to gain confidence and momentum. In the 30th minute, the Bears got one to land. Off an assist from Javier Martin Gil, Kian Yari's right-footed shot from outside the box sailed past the Braves' goalkeeper, sinking into the bottom left-hand corner to give MSU the 1-0 lead.   

The Bears fired off three additional shots through the final minutes of the opening period but went into the locker rooms with the 1-0 advantage.  

Out of halftime, the Bears did not relent on their offensive attack and in the 70th minute, scored their 36th goal of the 2022 campaign. A perfectly placed header by Jon Koka off an assist from Nicolo Mulatero increased MSU's advantage to 2-0 with 20 minutes left in regulation. The score was the junior's third of the season.   

Despite the night's two-goal performance it was the MSU defense that stole the show. The deep backfield led by goalkeeper Harry Townsend not only tied the single-season record of 11 shutouts but limited Bradley (5-11-3) to one shot attempt on the night.  

Missouri State is looking to join Creighton as the only programs to win back-to-back-to-back Valley tourney titles. Creighton won four-straight from 1992-95.

Bradley ends its season at 5-11-3.