Box Score

The fans were still cheering long after the clock read zero. This was history and the Bruin faithful didn't want it to end. The Narwhals were still singing, the players still lingering on the field, this was a night they would never forget. After suffering a loss in their inaugural home game, the Bruins took the field against the Freed-Hardeman Lions on Thursday night. From the outset, the tempo and style of the game could be summed up in one word: physical. The Lions and Bruins battled hard all game long with more than one player from both sides slowly getting up after collisions.

As the teams went back and forth in the first half, the Bruins and Lions put forth their best hoping it would give them a lead. At the break, it was 0-0 with both teams coming close to goals several times. The Bruins were able to muster 7 shots in the first half, while the Lions, led by striker Christopher Campbell would notch 9 shots.

The second half would yield more of the same as both teams desperately fought for that first goal. Eventually it would come in the 65^th minute as Christopher Campbell would bend in a free kick that would put the Lions up 1-0. “That was a pretty goal” said Coach McCormick. “At that point we were facing adversity, and our guys stepped it up.” The Bruins began to push towards the net, trying for the equalizer. Shot after shot brought the crowd to its feet, anxiously awaiting that goal that would tie the game. In the waning minutes, Travis Woodham fought hard for possession and centered the pass across the middle which bounced around and then was tapped home by Jordan Allen tying the game at 1-1. The fans erupted as they began to hope that this might be the night the Bruins would win.

Less than 3 minutes later, the Bruins sent the ball into the box and in a wild scramble for the ball, Mark Bonikowsky poked a shot past the keeper to put the Bruins up 2-1. With ten minutes left to play, the Lions put their offensive pressure in full gear as the team began to fight for each possession. The final minutes seemed like hours for these Bruin players. In the end, the clock registered to zeroes and the Bruins celebrated their first win in school history.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of our guys,” said Coach McCormick. “They have worked hard for this and in a hard fought game, they showed a great testimony for Christ in how they played.”

Although these Bruins have another game on Saturday against Tennessee Temple, this night, this very special night will be one that they will never forget. Years from now these Bruins and their fans will look back and remember the 6^th of September in 2012. That was the night the Bruins captured their first win.  
 
BJU Goal #1


BJU Goal #2