Box Score
Sarah Herr returned to the lineup in a big way as she recorded a hat-trick to help the Lady Bruins shutout Johnson University of Florida 8-0 to advance to the NCCAA DI South Regional Championship. 

"We knew Saturday's championship wouldn't happen without winning tonight," Coach Chris Carmichael said. "I thought we played with a lot of energy and possessed really well despite playing on a difficult surface."

 

The Bruins overcame a sloppy field as the rain from previous days provided a muddy playing surface for both teams. The Bruins entered the regional playoffs with the #1 seed having finished with a 4-1 conference record. The team had defeated Johnson University of Florida 8-0 and 11-0 in the two previous matches this season. As they took the pitch, the Bruins knew they were one step closer to the region championship game, and the team learned they would play Toccoa Falls College after the Eagles defeated Trinity Baptist College in the other semi-final match.

In the opening minutes, the Bruins possessed well and moved the ball into the attacking third for shots. They team wasted little time getting on the board as Paige Englehart centered a pass to Mimi Lozano, who buried the shot to make it 1-0. Just five minutes later, Lozano struck again as she blasted a rocket shot past the keeper to extend the lead 2-0.

From there, the Bruins were able to continue to control possession and were able to create golden opportunities in front of the net but several shots hit the post and flew just wide to keep the score 2-0. In the 36th minute, Sarah Herr scored on a centering pass from Anna Daulton to put the team up 3-0. Herr scored again just two minutes later to send the Bruins into the half up 4-0.  

"We had a high rate of possession and good combination play," Coach Carmichael said. "Our defense was strong and we were able to play good on our flanks. We had a lot of opportunities that went in and others that didn't, but overall was proud of the effort."

In the second half, the Bruins refused to let up the pressure as they continued to bombard the Suns net with shots. Sarah Herr completed her hat trick just three minutes into the second half as the scored to increase the Bruins lead to 5-0. While the Bruins controlled tempo on offense, defensively the team was stellar as the Bruins didn't yield a shot throughout the entirety of the match. As the game was drawing to a close, goals by Abby Davis, Brooke Hummel and Spencer Martin put the exclamation point on a dominant 8-0 win.  

"We did a lot of good things to create opportunities in the attacking third, Coach Carmichael said. "If we keep that up we should be doing well. We know our speed of play is going to have to improve and that our defense is going to have to be good against Toccoa. If we are mentally strong and physically strong, I am confident in our ability to perform."  

Sarah Herr led the way for the Bruins with 3 goals while Mimi Lozano scored twice. The team outshot the Suns 42-0 throughout the match and controlled possession on all aspects of the game. With the win, the Bruins move on to the region championship match as they will battle Toccoa Falls College at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Bruins played the Eagles twice this season, winning one and losing one. On Saturday, the Bruins will look to win their first region championship in program history.