Jesse Rush provided the late game heroics as the Bruins won their second straight in overtime with a 2-1 win over Toccoa Falls College on Saturday night at Alumni Stadium. The team was able to capture the win as the team celebrated the five seniors on the team for "Senior Night."

"We did what we needed to do and came out with a lot of intensity to get the goal," Bruins Coach Jesse McCormick said. "How we played the second half and overtime with the intensity and team play is certainly what we need to do going forward." 

This was just the second region contest for the Bruins this season. The team was 1-0 in conference play after defeating Pensacola Christian College earlier in the season. The Bruins were riding high after a comeback win earlier in the week over Point University. The Bruin faithful were out in full voice as the Bruins looked to set themselves up well in the regional standings. 

In the first half, both teams fought hard to control the pace of the game but neither were able to establish a foothold. The Bruins began to string together good combination play that generated good looks on frame. Eagles keeper Tyler Stanridge played a brilliant match as he came up with several saves throughout the first half. Although the Eagles didn't have as many chances, they nearly gained the lead late in the half as a Bruins defensive lapse freed up Yemi Abudu for a breakaway. Bruins keeper Andrew Kester made a great save to send the match into the half scoreless at 0-0.

"There are some things I could have done a little better to set us up for success," Coach McCormick said. "We had a lot of chances but we just couldn't put them away," 

In the second half, the Bruins wasted no time pressuring the Eagles backline. The team had several shots on target that were saved and several that just barely missed the goal. Still, the score remained 0-0. Finally, the Bruins were able to get on the board as Jared Simmons scored on the rebound to put the Bruins up 1-0. The Bruins continued to go on the attack as they looked to add to their lead. But momentum can stop and turn at the least expected moment. 

As the crowd anticipated a second goal from the Bruins, the Eagles responded and scored on the counter attack in one of their few opportunities of the second half. In the 73rd minute Yemi Abudu slid behind the Bruins defense and sent a through ball to the feet of Jonathan Adams who beat Kester on a low shot to tie the game at 1-1.

With the match coming to a close, both teams turned into high gear to try to gain the lead. The Bruins had several chances in the closing minutes but could not pull a goal back and as the two teams went into overtime tied 1-1. 

In the overtime period, the Bruins offense picked up where they had left off and pressured the Eagles net. It didn't take long for Jesse Rush to score the walk-off winner as he fired a shot near the end of the box that glanced off of the inside of the post and into the goal. The Bruins had captured another overtime win as the team defeated Toccoa Falls College 2-1. 

With the win, the Bruins improve to 3-7 on the season and 2-0 in region play. The Bruins offense pounded the Eagles net relentlessly throughout the match as the team outshot Toccoa Falls 35-6 in the match. The night was also special as seniors Josh Harm, Hany Wahba, Bryce Colon, Shadrach Nyeko and John Wilson were honored. 

"They all bring different strengths on and off the field and we are so blessed to have had the opportunity to have them in our program," Coach McCormick said.

Next up, the Bruins will be on the road as they battle John Wesley University on October 13 in High Point, North Carolina.