It didn't take long for newcomers Natasha Walters and Sarah Herr to make an impact for the Bob Jones University Bruins women's soccer team. Walters and Herr each scored a goal for the Bruins as the team defeated North Greenville University 2-1 in their opening scrimmage of the 2014 season. The two teams played three 30-minute periods at Pepsi Stadium in Tigerville, South Carolina.
"For our first scrimmage I was very happy with what I saw," Coach Chris Carmichael said. "The win is always great, but the style of play we have tried to achieve continued to stay strong with our team throughout the match. That's what we want to see as a coaching staff."
The Bruins came out strong right from the opening kickoff and showed strong possession play from the start. In the 8th minute of play, Leah Edwards sent a through pass splitting the Crusaders' defense. Natasha Walters received the pass and buried a low shot into the goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Caitlyn Lehman and the Bruins defense kept the Crusaders at bay as shots were hard to come by for NGU in the first half. Impressive ball movement and combination play up the field allowed the Bruins several chances on frame. Despite their chances, the Bruins went into the first break with the lead 1-0.
"The team was really able to improve in our combination play," Coach Carmichael said. "They took what we learned in our training session today and made it work well in the match."
In the second period, the Bruins struck again as Jenn Wise fired a laser shot on frame which was deflected right to the feet of freshman Sarah Herr who finished the play to score her first goal for the team. The goal gave the Bruins a 2-0 advantage. Minutes later, a defensive lapse allowed the Crusaders to break into the scoring column as NGU climbed closer to the Bruins 2-1. The second period would end 2-1 despite both teams having great chances to score.
The final period showcased impressive play from both squads as reserve players from NGU and BJU got quality minutes. The period would end with neither team able to find the back of the net giving the Bruins a 2-1 victory in their first scrimmage of the 2014 season.
"It was a great effort by the whole team," Coach Carmichael said. "We weren't perfect, but I liked how our team really stayed connected. We played very selfless tonight and our possession rate was good. We will continue to improve."
The Bruins began their preseason on Monday as the team will continue training for the upcoming season. The Bruins will face another road test as they travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina on Thursday night for a scrimmage with Converse College.
