Box Score Bruins' captain Ryan McCarty stepped up when it mattered most as the team came away with a tough 3-2 win on Tuesday night against Reinhardt University. "
We knew we had to dig deep and work our tails off," McCarty said. "When we're tired physically we have to dig deeper mentally, so we came in with that mindset in getting the work done."
The Bruins were coming off a 6-0 win last Tuesday against Toccoa Falls College and were looking to keep up their winning ways as they welcomed a strong Reinhardt University squad. The Eagles entered Tuesday's match with a 3-3 record, having shutout their previous two opponents 3-0 and 5-0. The two teams met during the 2014 season, with Reinhardt mauling the Bruins 6-2 in Georgia. The cool air in Greenville presented a perfect night for a soccer match as the Bruins and Eagles were set to write the next chapter of competition between the two programs.
McCarty's pivotal goal propelled the Bruins
to a 3-2 victory over Reinhardt University.In the opening minutes, the Bruins were able to possess well and work the ball into open areas for shots. The Eagles would get the first golden opportunity of the match as a centering pass came right in front of the goal mouth, but Bruins' keeper Andrew Kester made the save to keep the match scoreless. The Bruins seized a golden opportunity on the next possession as Eagles keeper Torge Wiedenworth mishandled the ball and
Matt Moore finished the play to put the Bruins up 1-0.
The Bruins came right back with more opportunities as the team had several more chances to take the lead. Defensively, Travis Woodham and Derek Doran helped to fortify the team's back line to keep the Eagles off the board. As the halftime buzzer sounded, the Bruins clung to a 1-0 advantage.
"Getting that early goal helped get us going," Coach Jesse McCormick said. "We told the players especially in the midfield that we control their midfield and that we're doing work their so they aren't getting options to move forward."
In the second half, the Eagles were desperate for the equalizer and came out strong in the opening minutes of the half. They would eventually get it in the 54th minute as Jordan Williams received a through pass from Jose Rubio and
buried a low shot past Kester to tie the game up 1-1. The Bruins responded well as on the next possession, Ryan McCarty found Jared Simmons ahead of the defense as
Simmons scored his first goal of the season to put the team up 2-1. Simmons nearly scored again just minutes later, but
Wiedenworth was up to the task to prevent the score.
In the 72nd minute, Williams was the answer again for the Eagles as he knotted the game back 2-2 with
a beautiful header. Once again, the Bruins refused to quit and came roaring back up the field. In the 75th minute of play, the Bruins had the opportunity for a free kick after being fouled just outside the box. Captain Ryan McCarty gave the Bruins the lead with a
beautiful bending shot to put the Bruins up 3-2.
With the match coming to a close, the Eagles jumped into high gear to try to gain the equalizer. Each run into the Bruins defense was met with strong defensive play as the Bruins held their lead and captured a 3-2 win at home.
"Those goals at key moments in the game helped us tremendously," Coach McCormick said. "We created some good opportunities and were effective in transition with creating multiple opportunities with multiple players. The guys played great tonight and hopefully they are gaining confidence. We want to take those positives as we move forward."
Ryan McCarty had 1 goal and 1 assist for the Bruins and Matt Moore scored his team-leading 6th goal of the season. Jared Simmons also scored his first goal of the season. The teams were locked even in shots on goal with 7 each. With the win, the Bruins improve to 4-2 on the season and are riding momentum after back to back strong wins at home. Next up, the team will be on the road as they travel to Dalton, Georgia on Friday evening for a matchup with Dalton State College.
