Box Score
The Lady Bruins out shot their opponents and had several quality scoring chances in the match, but the team still found themselves on the losing end of a 4-2 score against the Milligan College Buffaloes on Monday night in Montreat, North Carolina.
"We had moments when we were playing well and bringing the game to our opponent," Bruins Head Coach Chris Carmichael said. "Then too much of the game we seemed apathetic and lacked the will to really control the game. We aren't consistently finding that extra gear and that is something we'll need out of players in training and games."
The Bruins came into the match with a 1-2 record on the heels of their first victory of the season as the team had defeated Montreat College 1-0 on Saturday night. The Buffs came into Monday's match at 0-1 after suffering a 4-2 loss to Asbury College.
As the match began, the Buffs came charging out of the gate and caught the Bruins by surprise as Bekah Cundiff buried a shot to give Milligan a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the game. The Bruins were back on their heels, but things went from bad to worse as another goal by the Buffs in the 15th minute of play dug the Bruins a 2-0 hole.
From there, the team regrouped and began to work the ball into the attacking third. Abby Davis continued to have opportunities on frame with several shots, but the Bruins couldn't find the back of the net as the team went into the half trailing 2-0.
In the second half of play, the Bruins knew they were still within striking distance as they came out looking to get on the board. The Buffs dealt a devastating blow just two minutes into the half as Sami Joy fired a shot past Bruins keeper Kayla Fischer to give Milligan a 3-0 lead.
The match looked to be spiraling out of control for the Lady Bruins, but they found an answer in the brilliant play of Sarah Herr as the senior launched a laser shot from 25 yards out to put the Bruins on the board. The Bruins elation was short-lived as the Buffs came right back with a goal on the ensuing kickoff to stretch their lead back to 4-1.
In the closing minutes of the match, the Bruins pushed the ball forward as they aggressively attacked the net. The team was able to notch another goal courtesy of Abby Davis, but in the end it was too little too late as the team fell to Milligan College 4-2.
"I am going to be looking to incorporate players who are going to work hard on both sides of the ball," Coach Carmichael said. "We played well in the last 15 minutes, but we need to bring that effort for the full 90."
The team out shot the Buffs 21-14, including 13 shots on frame. Sarah Herr and Abby Davis each scored their first goals of the 2017 season as the Bruins fall to 1-3. Next up, the Bruins will look to get back on track as they battle Warner University and Trinity Baptist College in a Florida road trip this weekend.
