Box Score
The Bruins soccer team upset the #1 seeded Kansas Christian College Falcons 3-1 in the pool play round of the NCCAA DII National Tournament on Thursday night in Greenville, South Carolina. With the win, the Bruins earned three points to gain an advantage in group play.
It didn't take long for the team to get going as Andrew Peterson opened the scoring with a tidy finish in front of the Falcons net only four minutes into the game. The goal sparked the Bruins as the team continued to play with a lot of energy in the attacking third. Just ten minutes later, Jared Simmons, who assisted the first goal, scored to increase the Bruins' lead 2-0.
"That was was huge for us," Bruins Head Coach Jesse McCormick said. "We've have had a bit of a dry spell over the past couple games but it really gave us a boost of confidence scoring that early."
The top-seeded Falcons weren't ready to back down as they broke into the scoring column off a goal from Luis Hinojos in the 24th minute to play to make the score 2-1. With new life, the Falcons continued to pressure the net but the Bruins back line stood strong and keeper Andrew Kester came up with several big saves. As the half ended the Bruins led 2-1.
In the second half, the Bruins came out just like they had done to open the match as they pushed the ball ahead with great combination play. Jesse Rush dribbled past the Falcon defense and found an opening as he put a left-footed shot into the corner of the net to give the Bruins a 3-1 advantage just three minutes into the half. With some insurance, the Bruins continued to control possession while keeping the Falcons at bay. Despite several chances for KCC in the second half, the Bruins were able to hold on for the victory in a 3-1 match.
"We needed to push the pace, and put goals in the back of the net, and that's just what we did," Coach McCormick said.
Jared Simmons led the Bruins with one goal and one assist on the night. Next up, the Bruins will face #4 seeded Trinity Baptist College with a trip to the national championship on the line. The two teams have met twice in the 2017 season with the Bruins drawing with the Eagles in the regular season before losing to TBC in the region playoffs. The kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Alumni Stadium on Friday.
