The Bruins battled to a 1-1 draw against North Greenville University on Monday night as the team rounded out preseason exhibition play. "Our guys showed good resilience to come back from a slow start in this one," Bruins Head Coach Jesse McCormick said. "They persevered by responding right after NGU scored their goal."
The Bruins came into the match after a 4-1 loss last week to USC Upstate. With the start of the regular season on Thursday, the Bruins were ready for one final tune up against the Crusaders. The teams played three thirty minute periods as the two teams took the field in Tigerville, South Carolina.
Both teams traded possession in the early minutes of the exhibition as each tried to establish control. The Bruins were able to get several looks on frame but those attempts sailed wide. Defensively, the Bruins were able to keep the Crusaders from breaking into the scoring column as well. At the end of the first, the score remained 0-0.
It was much of the same in second period as both teams still couldn't find the back of the net. In the third period, the Crusaders finally gained the lead with just 10 minutes left to play in the match. It looked as though the Bruins would suffer a tough loss but the team would find the answer on the ensuing kickoff. Jared Simmons received a pass from Andrew Peterson and buried a shot in the back of the net for the equalizer to make the score 1-1. Though it was a hard fought match throughout, the Bruins and Crusaders ended in a 1-1 draw.
Next up, the Bruins will open the 2017 regular season on the road on Thursday night as the team will battle Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. The Bruins home opener will be on Saturday night as they welcome Johnson University to Alumni Stadium.
