Box Score
The Lady Bruins snapped their four-match losing streak on Friday night as the team defeated Columbia International University 1-0 in overtime in Columbia, South Carolina. With the win, the Bruins improve to 2-6 on the season.
"We needed this one tonight," Bruins Head Coach Chris Carmichael said. "Our team worked hard to get this win against a very good CIU team who continues to get stronger and stronger each year."
The Bruins have played one of their toughest schedules to date this season and the team was struggling having lost four of their last five games. The team would also be without several key players in the match who were out due to injury. The Rams came into the match with a 3-1 record after defeating Guilford College on Saturday night.
From the opening kickoff, the Bruins were able to push the ball into the attacking third for looks on goal. Abby Davis and Mikayla Rajcan provided strong pressure on the scoring attack for the Bruins as they continued to pressure the Rams net. CIU had chances of their own but as the half ended the two teams remained scoreless at 0-0.
In the second half, it was much of the same for both teams as each continued to have scoring chances turned aside by the goalkeeper. For the Bruins, Jessica Baun came up strong for the squad with 10 saves on the night. With the second half nearing its end, the Rams were given a golden opportunity as the Bruins were called for a foul inside the box giving CIU the penalty kick. Janie Holland missed the PK for the Rams as the score remained 0-0 heading into overtime.
The Bruins came out strong in the overtime period as they moved the ball ahead. Good combination play freed up Abby Davis who crossed the ball into the middle and Mikayla Rajcan proved to be the hero for the Bruins as she buried the golden goal to give the Bruins a 1-0 victory.
"We were a bit hobbled in this game but other players really stepped up for us to help get the win," Coach Carmichael said. "We now have to get some quick recovery as we prepare for the game tomorrow."
Mikayla Rajcan scored her second goal of the season for the team while Abby Davis recorded her third assist on the year. Despite being out shot by CIU 15-9, the Bruins were able to control possession and come away with the win. Next up, the team will play their first home match of the 2017 season Saturday night as they welcome John Wesley University at 4 p.m. to Alumni Stadium.
