OMAHA, Neb. – Bruno Castro converted a penalty kick just 2:26 into the game and #17 Creighton (11-3-2, 3-0-1 MVC) rode the early strike to a 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference victory versus visiting Bradley (9-5-2, 3-2-0 MVC) Saturday night at Morrison Stadium.

The teams entered Saturday’s game knowing the winner was going to take control of The Valley regular-season race.  Bradley has only one conference game remaining, Nov. 3 versus Central Arkansas at Shea Stadium, after a pair of non-league road games.  Now in first place in The Valley standings, Creighton will finish the league race with a home game against Missouri State and a road trip to Evansville.

Defense dominated for both teams as Castro’s penalty kick was the only shot on goal for either team in the first half.  While the first-half shot count was an even 4-4, Bradley put seven of its 12 second-half shots on target.  Though the Braves outshot theirs hosts, 16-12, Bluejays keeper Jeff Gal made seven saves to extend Creighton’s scoreless streak in league play to 11 games, dating back to last season.

The Braves will continue their 3-game road swing with a Tuesday afternoon game at Western Illinois.