Bradley University Athletics issued the following announcement on Aug. 20
Bradley sophomore midfielder Rasmus Smidtslund scored twice, but Creighton senior forward Diego Gutierrez countered with a hat trick, leading the host Bluejays to a 4-2 exhibition victory against the visiting Braves Friday night in front of 1,112 fans at Morrison Stadium.
The third of three exhibition games for both teams inside of a week, Friday's game was delayed by lightning in the 14th minute. While a passing storm kept the teams indoors for nearly 90 minutes, they came out firing after the break, combining for four goals in 16 minutes to close out the first half.
Named the Big EAST Conference Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year this week, Gutierrez got the scoring started with a breakaway goal in the 27th minute. Smidtslund and the answer in the 34th minute, however, finishing off a sequence that started with Malte Winkler playing the ball back off the left endline to Danny Collins in traffic in front of the goal. The ball ultimately popped out to Smidtslund, who finished near the right post.
Gutierrez put the Bluejays back on top for good in the 41st minute by finishing off a sequence from Duncan McGuire and Callum Watson and then he assisted a Mark O'Neill stike in the 43rd minute for a 3-1 Creighton lead at the intermission.
Gutierrez completed the hat trick in the 57th minute, before Smidtslund completed the scoring in the 61st minute on a penalty kick rebound for his third goal of the preseason.
After challenging itself with three exhibitions in eight days – Aug. 13 at Big Ten member Northwestern (0-0) and Tuesday against Creighton's Big EAST rival Marquette (1-1) before Friday night's game – Bradley will open its 35th NCAA Division I season with another challenge Thursday by hosting 2021 spring NCAA Tournament competitor Omaha in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Shea Stadium.
Original source can be found here.
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