Box Score
The Bruins were riding a modest two game winning streak entering Saturday’s match against the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies in Lawrenceville, GA. Jon Sandy was back in the net for the Bruins after missing the last two games due to a knee injury.  Both teams were excited about the match as each school is entering their first year of intercollegiate competition. The Grizzlies entered the match at 3-0-1 and have had no problems adjusting to the higher level of NAIA play.

As the game began, the Grizzlies began to control possession and moved with great poise and control down the field. The team was able to execute crisp passes and generate several offensive opportunities. Sandy was up to the task as he continued to deny shots, but in the 10^th minute the Grizzlies got on the board as Martin Lugo scored on a beautiful shot into the lower side of the net making it 1-0. “We really came out flat from the start,” Coach McCormick said. “A good team like we played today is always going to make you pay for that.”

The Bruins started showing a little more poise and began to generate some offensive pressure but Greg Hartley turned aside every Bruins attempt. As the first half was nearing its end, the Bruins were looking to go into the half at 1-0, but instead Grizzlies defenseman Jose Figueroa scored on a header from a corner kick to make it 2-0 going into the half.

As the second half began, the Bruins made some adjustments and were able to generate some offensive pressure on the net. Despite their attempts, the Bruins couldn’t find the back of the net as several shots sailed just wide. With the game nearing its end the Bruins tried everything they could but the Grizzlies denied every chance. As the horn sounded the Bruins found themselves on the losing end of a 2-0 match, ending their two game winning streak. Grizzlies’ goalie Greg Hartley denied each attempt and finished the game with a clean sheet, his fourth of the year.

“We have to get better at keeping the ball,” Coach McCormick said. “We have to keep working on possession and being able to move the ball better on the offensive end.”  

With the loss the Bruins are now 2-2 on the year and will need to play better on both sides of the ball. The Bruins will have a short time to rest and recoup as they welcome Johnson University at Alumni Stadium on Monday night.