Box Score
A late goal by Natasha Walters proved to be the difference as the Lady Bruins held on for a 3-2 victory over the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins were coming off a strong offensive performance on Friday night as the team defeated Johnson University of Florida 9-0. The team had only faced Southern Wesleyan University one time in their three-year history. The two teams met during the 2012 season with the Warriors controlling the game in a 3-0 decision. This year, the Bruins were looking to prove that they are a much better program as the two teams took the field at Alumni Stadium in the humid September weather. 

 

The Bruins came out strong in the opening minutes and executed crisp combination play to move into open lanes for shots. The team didn't have to wait long to break into the scoring column as Rebecca Luttrell scored on a through pass from Paige Englehart to put the Bruins up 1-0. The team was riding high, but were quickly brought back down to earth as the Warriors even up the scored on a bending shot by Ruva Chimedza.

Both teams battled back and forth the remainder of the half with both having excellent scoring opportunities. With less than 3 minutes to go in the half, the Bruins gained the advantage as Anna Daulton buried a shot off of a cross from Lauren Foushee to put the Bruins up 2-1 at the half.  

"We knew we had to keep working hard," Coach Carmichael said. "Southern Wesleyan is a great team and we needed to be sure we played smart to put the gas on and keep playing smart in the match." 

In the second half, the Warriors looked to equalize as the team executed great combination play to work into the Bruins defensive zone. In the 68th minute, Leah Johnson capitalized on a Bruins defensive lapse to bring the game even 2-2. 

The Bruins went back on the attack as Spencer Martin and Izzy Johnston worked the ball and generated running lanes for the offense. Back and forth the two teams went with the game drawing to a close. In the 76th minute, the Bruins had a deep opportunity in the corner as Paige Englehart worked the ball free and fired a cross through the middle of the field which was finished by Natasha Walters to put the Bruins up 3-2. "After that second goal we were able to settle it down and get the ball to the outside," Walters said. "I happened to run into a perfect open spot and I thankfully put the ball in the back of the net."

The Bruins held off the Warriors in the final minutes to come away with a 3-2 victory. "Collectively we are a lot more organized," Coach Carmichael said. Possession was here and there but overall a great performance for the team. We need to do a better job in our defensive third. If we can keep working on our combination play we'll be good." 

With the win, the Bruins improve to 2-0-1 on the season. This marks an important win for the Lady Bruins over a NCAA DII opponent. Next up, the team will begin a three-game road trip beginning on Tuesday night as the Bruins will play Point University in West Point, Georgia.