Box Score
The Bruins made a late run in the second half, but it wasn't enough as the Emmanuel College Lions held on for a 3-2 victory on Saturday night. "I thought we did some things really well with our possession so I was happy about that," Coach Jesse McCormick said. "Some of our ball movement could have been a little quicker and a little more dynamic. We allowed their defense to get organized and that hurt us some." 

The Bruins came into Saturday's match riding a three-game winning streak and stood at 8-3 on the season. The Lions were coming off back-to-back double overtime matches and sat at 4-4-3 on the season. Emmanuel College is ranked #7 overall in NCCAA DI. The Bruins knew they would be in for a battle as they took the pitch at Alumni Stadium. 

 

Both teams came out somewhat conservative in the opening minutes of play as each team looked to establish pace and possession. The Bruins generated several corner kick opportunities in the opening minutes, but failed to capitalize. The Lions struck first in the 24th minute of play as Blair Springhall slid a past through the Bruins defensive line and Nick Miller finished the play to put the Lions up 1-0. 

The Bruins responded and pushed the ball into the attacking third. John Wilson rifled a shot towards frame but it was just wide. In the 36th minute, the Bruins found their equalizer as Stpehn Grider was fouled in the box setting up a penalty kick opportunity. Travis Woodham finished a brilliant strike to draw even 1-1. The two teams had opportunity in the final minutes of the half, but neither was able to score as the half ended even at 1-1. 

In the second half, the Lions came out with intensity and began to pressure the Bruins net. In the 51st minute of play, the Lions got a corner kick and sent a cross into the middle. Bruins' goalkeeper Dundas Clark couldn't gain possession as the ball squeaked into the back of the net to give the Lions a 2-1 lead. Just 8 minutes later, the Lions struck again as Fitzy Fitz Gerald scored on a rebound to increase the Lions lead 3-1. 

The Bruins picked up the intensity and began to work the ball up the field. Several golden opportunities sailed just wide as the team's chances of coming back seemed to be slipping away. AJ Redlinger provided a spark of hope for the Bruins as he scored on a beautiful strike to put the Bruins within one. The team continued to keep the pressure on as the Bruins continued to pound the net with shots. Stephen Grider nearly tied the game off a redirect, but it sailed just wide. The Bruins last-ditched efforts came up short as the Lions held on for the 3-2 win.

"We created good quality opportunities against a good team," Coach McCormick said. "We want to control the game and work the possession. We know our next game is going to be a hard fought battle so we need to come out with intensity and come out wanting to win the ball on each possession."  

AJ Redlinger scored his team-leading 7th goal of the season and Travis Woodham scored his 4th. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 8-4 on the season. The team outshot the Lions 19-11 in the match including putting 8 shots on frame. Next up, the Bruins will battle in another important conference match as they welcome Columbia International University on Monday night.