Box Score The Lady Bruins soccer team had to battle more than just an opposing team on Thursday night as an hour and fifteen minute weather delay threw a wrench into the flow of the match. The Bruins allowed two quick goals after the delay en route to a 3-0 loss at home against St. Andrews University.
The Bruins offense generated good opportunities
but the team failed to capitalize in the 3-0
home loss to St. Andrews University."We did better in some areas, but we have to get better in the attacking third and the midfield," Coach Chris Carmichael said. "We had a slow start coming back from the delay to allow at goal, but I thought our pace in the second half was much better and we created more opportunities defensively. Our team worked hard to the end but we just fell short today."
The Bruins and Knights began the match under the cloudy Greenville sky of Alumni Stadium, but halfway through the first half, the game was delayed due to lightning in the area. Both teams were removed from the field for over an hour as the storm passed. When play resumed, the Knights scored on the very first play as Nicole Bass poked home a shot on the corner kick to put the Knights up 1-0. Just before the half, the Knights struck again as Alex Freesland scored to give St. Andrews a 2-0 lead at the break.
"We didn't pressure the way we needed to and let in two soft goals in the half," Coach Carmichael said. "The delay works both ways for both teams so I don't think that was really the issue for us."
In the second half, the Bruins looked to climb back into the game and used good combination play to move into the attacking third. Sarah Herr, Mimi Lozano and Jenn Wise each were able to get off good shots in front of the net, but all sailed wide as the Bruins couldn't seem to score.
In the Bruins attempts to pressure the net, the Knights countered in the 78th minute as a bending shot by Madeline Castro sailed just past the arms of Kristen Haertlein to give the Knights a 3-0 lead. The Bruins tried to get on the board, but Knights goalie Gianna Annichiarico was up to the task as she completed the clean sheet in the Knights 3-0 win over Bob Jones University.
"Overall the effort was ok, but we have some things to work on," Coach Carmichael said. "We need to focus on the mental part of the game and make sure we don't make those mental mistakes. We'll work on those and get ready for Saturday."
The Bruins were outshot 15-13 in this game including allowing the Knights 12 shots on goal. Kristen Haertlein had 9 saves on the night as the team fell to 2-2 on the season. Next up, the Lady Bruins will host Trinity Baptist College on Saturday afternoon for the team's 2nd conference game of the season.
