Box Score
The match ended as it began as the Bob Jones University Bruins and Truett-McConnell Bears played to a 0-0 draw on Thursday night at Alumni Stadium. "I feel great. It is a great start for our season," Coach Carmichael said. "Truett-McConnell is a great program and this will give us a good push into our games to come. We played well even without some of our key players tonight." The team would be without starting midfielder Spencer Martin, who was sidelined with a knee injury. 

 

The Bruins and Bears battled the August heat as both tried to establish momentum in the opening minutes. The injury bug bit the Bruins again as Rebecca Luttrell left the game early on and didn't return. In her absence, the Bruins executed a great combination play as Jenn Wise sent a through ball to Paige Englehart who crossed it to the head of Natasha Walters. The header was just off as Walters couldn't finish the play. The Bruins had few chances offensively after that as the team was outshot 13 to 4 in the first half. Both teams went into the break with a 0-0 score.

"I think it is first-game fatigue," Coach Carmichael said. "I thought we controlled the first 20 or 25 minutes but I think we were a bit fatigued. It will come but we need to make sure we are reacting to what they are giving us." 

In the second half, the Bears were able to establish control and penetrate the Bruins defense. Bruins newcomer Ally Jenkins was a brick wall for the defense as she sniffed out several threats and cleared the ball away. Bruins goalie Tori Anderson was challenged a few times in the 2nd half as the Bears looked to strike first. 

The Bruins showed flashes of brilliance with a few combination plays to penetrate the attacking third, but the team only generated 3 shots throughout the second half as both teams finished regulation time at 0-0.   

In the two extra time periods, the Bruins had several great chances to come away with a victory. In the second extra time, the Bruins had an opportunity to score on a free-kick just outside the box. Jenn Wise had her cross sail just wide as the Bruins couldn't find the back of the net. As the final buzzer sounded, the two teams had battled to a 0-0 draw. 

"We just weren't getting enough organization or shots on the attacking side," Coach Carmichael. "We were pretty well cashed out and pretty fatigued so we wanted to make sure we were defending well to finish out. I am happy with how we played tonight."  

The Bruins will travel to Florida tomorrow as the team will play their first road game of the season on Saturday night against Florida College.