Warriors shut out Bradford, capture title share

Muskego - Andrija Novakovich tallied off an assist from Jared Pradarelli to give Muskego a 1-0 overtime victory over Kenosha Bradford on Sept. 27, earning at least a share of the Southeast Conference soccer championship.

In the 88th minute of play, Pradarelli fed a through ball to Novakovich, who beat two defenders at the top of the 18-yard box and connected on a left-footed shot into the right corner of the goal.

The Warriors improved to 6-0 in the SEC, while Bradford slipped to 5-1. Muskego met Oak Creek Tuesday and needed a victory or tie to win the conference crown outright.

The victory extended the Warriors' SEC mark to 46-1 with six conference titles since the 2006 season.

Muskego came out aggressively, said coach Eric Hess.

"We played a great first half, creating many chances," he said. "Their goalkeeper made big save after big save. In the second half, we continued to create good chances, only to watch the keeper make three more great saves.

"Bradford started to create more scoring chances in the second half, and it became a back-and-forth game. (Muskego goalkeeper) Ryan Henderson made some huge saves for us in the second half, and we did a great job defensively of bending, not breaking."

The Warriors also beat Wauwatosa West, 2-0, on Saturday on goals from Brody Kraussel and Graham Ambrose.

In the first half, Jimmy Grunert challenged the goaltender on a cross. The goaltender punched the ball out to the top of the box and Kraussel collected it, took one touch and blasted it into the top of the net.

Later, Ryan Johnson-Evers sent in a corner kick that deflected out to Ambrose, who smashed it into the back of the net for the second score.

Muskego had two second-half goals called back on a hand ball and offsides but still prevailed.

The Warriors dropped a 3-0 contest to Kettle Moraine on Sept. 29, dominating possession but giving up three counterattack goals.

"All week, we played very good soccer," Hess said. "We just need to finish our chances, and that will come."