Box Score The Lady Bruins looked to be in control as the team had the lead and momentum, but a strong 2nd half by the Reinhardt Eagles handed the Bruins their second straight loss in a 3-1 defeat.
"We continue to get unbalanced and haven't stepped up the right urgency and attitude to start winning these types of games," Coach Chris Carmichael said. "We were getting great effort on both sides of the ball by some, but not everyone. We showed we can compete with one of the top teams in the AAC but to win takes 90 minutes of the highest effort we can give. We have to hit that higher gear."
The Bruins were coming off a 2-0 loss to Columbia College on Tuesday, and were looking to bounce back with another road contest. The Eagles came into the match at 3-1-1 having suffered their first loss of the 2015 season on Wednesday against Point University.
In the opening minutes, the Bruins came out with good possession and pace. The team was able to strike first as Kaitlyn Hummel scored her first goal of the season with a brilliant shot to put the Bruins up 1-0. The team continued to keep up the pressure and had several great chances throughout the remainder of the half. The Eagles were determined to get back into the game and knotted up the score just before the half to make it 1-1.
"We needed to continue to maintain a high work rate," Coach Carmichael said. "We also needed to possess better and play smarter which we didn't do."
As the 2nd half began, both teams were looking to gain the upperhand and take the lead. The Bruins used their combination play to work into open looks on frame. The Eagles countered with impressive combination play of their own, but despite the effort by both teams, the score remained tied. Then disaster struck for the Bruins as a defensive mistake allowed the Eagles to gain the lead 2-1. Another defensive lapse by the Bruins back line ended their chances at a comeback as the Eagles extended their lead 3-1 and held on for the victory.
"It was discouraging to give up the goals we did," Coach Carmichael said. "They shouldn't have happened. We will continue to get better and I believe the strength of our schedule will have a huge impact for us when we get to our regional tournament."
With the loss, the Bruins fall to 3-6 on the season. Kaitlyn Hummel scored the lone goal for the Bruins as the team was outshot and outplayed by the Eagles throughout the second half. The team will have some time to think about this one as the Bruins don't take the field until next Saturday. Their opponent will be an important conference match on the road against Toccoa Falls College.
