The Bruins soccer team scored two goals in the final five minutes of the game as the team picked up their first win of the season with a victory over Johnson University (FL) on Saturday night at Alumni Stadium. With the win, the Bruins improve to 1-4 overall and 1-0 in region play.
"We've been in this situation a couple of times this year and when they scored I thought 'here we go again,'" Bruins Head Coach Matt Hotchkin said after picking up his first win with the team. "Tonight taught us that the game is never over until it is over and the guys kept fighting. We showed a lot of energy in the final minutes of the game to get the win."
The Bruins came into the game looking for a win as the team fell short by a one-goal differential in each of their first four games with goals being scored late in the match. The team would welcome the Suns for their opening region match of the season. The Bruin faithful were out in full voice as the two teams took the pitch.
The Bruins were able to pressure the Suns defense as Andrew Zhang crossed the ball to Sebastian Sulik, who then took a shot which was deflected by the keeper just minutes into the game. The team kept up the offensive pressure as Victor Oladipo rifled a shot past the keeper, only to have the ball to hit post and bounce up into the keeper's hands.
The Bruins controlled the ball most of the first half and built the attack from the back, switching the ball from one side to the other using the back row players. Long balls from defense to the midfield were accurate, allowing the Bruins to quickly dribble or pass the ball into the box. Sebastian Sulik nearly netted a goal for the Bruins but his shot hit the opposite post as the team wasn't able to find the back of the net during the first half. As a result, the score remained 0-0 going into halftime.
The Suns came out strong in the second half. The two teams shared possession as the Suns increased aggression and started to win the ball more. Many more fouls were committed on both sides as thirty-four fouls and two yellow cards were issued throughout the game.
With just under 10 minutes remaining, the Suns and Bruins were still tied 0-0 despite several scoring chances for both teams. In the 85th minute, the Suns struck first as Jorge Miranda scored off a free kick. His shot split the Bruins defensive wall and keeper Isaac Landry couldn't recover in time as the ball rolled into the net. The fans were stunned as it looked like another late-game goal would hand the Bruins yet another loss.
The Bruins knew they needed to press for a goal as the clock continued to tick away under three minutes remaining. With 2:24 left on the clock, the Bruins drew a foul near the sidelines. Caleb Adams stepped up to take the free kick for the Bruins and sent a centering pass near the box which was tipped away. Micah Kline came charging in and threaded a pass to David Dume who dropped it off for Victor Oladipo and Oladipo scored to tie the game 1-1. The stadium erupted as the Bruins had fought back to tie the game.
The Bruins weren't done as they went right back to pressuring the Suns and possessing the ball into the attacking third. The Bruins drew another foul at 1:36 giving Jordan Crews a free kick from about 30 yards out. Crews sent the ball into the box and Oladipo jumped to head the ball towards the net. David Dume snuck behind the defense and scored putting the Bruins ahead 2-1. The Bruins fans went crazy as Dume was mobbed by his teammates.
The Suns pressed hard for the last minute and a half, but the Bruins played smart and kept the ball out of their defending third. The buzzer sounded completing the comeback for the Bruins as the team won their first game of the season.
Throughout the game the Bruins took thirty-two shots, twenty-one of which were on frame. Sophomore Victor Oladipo and freshman David Dume each scored their first goals for the team while both picked up an assist.
Next up, the Bruins will welcome Columbia International University to Greenville on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
