Last year, the Bruins began their inaugural season with a scrimmage against the North Greenville University Crusaders. This was the first organized scrimmage for the team in program history. The Crusaders are a great opponent as NGU is NCAA DII and provided a great test for the Bruins team. The result was a 4-1 defeat.

This season, the Bruins took the field again against North Greenville for their season-opening scrimmage. This time the result would be different. The Bruins showed their growth by coming out of the gate with great intensity. The team controlled possession and looked like a completely different squad from the last time these two teams met. The teams decided to play three 45-minute periods to give all players adequate time to get some game speed experience. 

At the midway point of the opening period, Vince Wilson lofted a beautiful cross in the middle of the box which was headed home by Mark Bonikowsky making it 1-0 Bruins. Throughout the remaining minutes of the 1st period, the Bruins controlled possession and had several great shots on goal. As the whistle blew, the score was 1-0. Also impressive for the opening period was the play of Bruins' goalie Joseph Wooster. The Bruins net-minder made several saves throughout the period, while keeping the clean sheet. 

"I was very pleased with the chemistry on the pitch this early in the season," Coach Jesse McCormick said. "We had good speed of play and good decision making helped us with possession."

In the second period it was much of the same between the two schools. The Crusaders were not able to generate many offensive runs, while the Bruins continued to control possession and execute crisp passes. The second period ended with the score at 1-0 Bruins. 

In the final period, reserve players from both squads saw quality minutes. The Bruins defense kept the Crusaders at bay and goalies John Wiser and Cam Lawson helped to maintain the clean sheet as the final whistle secured the 1-0 victory for the Bruins. "I am thankful God has brought together this group of guys," Coach McCormick said. "We have a solid group of guys for our squad this season."

Although it was in the preseason, the win is an important step for the Bruins to show how far they have come in one year of competition. Coach Jesse McCormick continues to push his players to be better and better each time they step on the field. The team will continue to work hard in preparation for the upcoming season. Next up, the Bruins will play Emmanuel College in a scrimmage next Friday night at Alumni Stadium.