The Bruins picked up their first win of the 2017 season on Saturday night with a 2-1 victory over Johnson University.
 
Saturday was the home opener for the team as the students returned to campus to begin the new semester.  Nearly 1,200 fans packed Alumni Stadium for the match versus Johnson University.
 
Coming off a loss in the season opener to Bryan College on Thursday night, the Bruins made it a priority to come out with a sense of urgency. The Bruins dominated the battle of possession throughout the first half, but were unable to convert on any scoring opportunities. The team had twelve shots in the first half without scoring despite several near misses and a shot off the post. As the buzzer sounded, both teams ended the half as they began it with a 0-0 score.

"Our decision making in the final third during the first half wasn't great, we knew our passes had to be better in the 2nd half," Bruins Head Coach Jesse McCormick said.
 
In the 63rd minute, the Bruins were able to get their first goal of the night. Jesse Rush bent a cross into the box finding a wide open Andrew Peterson for the goal, his first of the season. The goal gave the Bruins a sigh of relief as they were able to capitalize on the halftime adjustments.
 
"We were much better in the 2nd half," Coach McCormick said. "We really worked well as a team and made the right passes. I liked the tempo we played with in the 2nd half creating lots of scoring opportunities."
 
In the 2nd half the Bruins had 15 shot attempts, totaling 27 for the entire match. They also forced 10 corner kicks including seven in the 2nd half.
 
The wasn't content with a one-goal lead and just five minutes later Jared Simmons scored to extend the lead to 2-0. Jesse Rush once again got the assist as he dumped a short pass of to Jared Simmons outside the box, and Simmons fired a rocket into the corner of the net. The senior has scored in both games for the Bruins so far this season, as he scored the lone goal from the 5-1 loss to Bryan College on Thursday.
 
The Johnson Royals spoiled Bruins' goalkeeper Andrew Kester's clean sheet in the 86th minute via a goal from Caleb Moore. Kester did record two saves on the night out of the three shot attempts by the Royals.
 
"Going into our next match it'll be important for us to dictate the tempo of the game and be efficient with our play in our scoring opportunities," said Jesse McCormick.

The Bruins outshot the Royals 27-3 throughout the match while controlling possession throughout. Jesse Rush finished the night with two assists as the Bruins improve to 1-1 on the season. Next up, the team will welcome Piedmont College to Alumni Stadium on Saturday night.