SPRINGFIELD – No. 8 Missouri State burst out for a three-goal effort to defeat Bradley, 3-0 in its 2021 season-opening match here Saturday at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium.
 
The Bears (1-0-0), who claimed the Missouri Valley Conference title last year, recorded their 11th straight league win and picked up right where they left off following a program-best 18-win season in 2019.
 
"It was just awesome to see the guys playing soccer again," said head coach Jon Leamy following the match.  "We were geared up all week for this and then came out and executed our game plan.  It was a great all-around team effort, the offense was lights out and then our defense was unrelenting to get the shutout."
 
A 70th minute goal from Jon Koka capped the Bears' scoring and sealed their first win of 2021.  Nicolo Mulatero slipped a pass to find Koka in the box and the sophomore forward fired home the third and final goal of the match.
 
A Braves handball in the box in the 57th minute earned the Bears a penalty kick and Mulatero fired home the ensuing shot to push the MSU lead to 2-0.
 
From the first whistle, MSU came right out and took control of the match, spending most of the first period in its attacking half.  The Bears sent seven of their 12 shots in the opening stanza with Jesus Barea's goal in the 39th minute rewarding the assault before intermission.
 
With the offense clicking on all cylinders, MSU's backline made sure to subdue any chance of a Bradley counter attack and hold the visitors to just four shots in the match.  Reigning MVC Goalkeeper of the Year, Michael Creek snagged three saves to notch the first shutout of the season and give him 14 for his career.
 
Along with his PK goal, Mulatero chipped in the assist on Koka's final dagger.  Barea, Koka, Mulatero, Josh Dolling and Will Osgathorpe each registered two shots to spark the Bears' frenzy attack.
 
Missouri State faces its first road test of the season with a match at Drake on Thursday, March 4 with kickoff slated for 2:00 p.m.