Despite two goals in the second half by the Bruins, the team couldn't catch the Rams as Columbia International University won 4-2 on Tuesday night at Alumni Stadium. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 1-5 on the season.
The first half did not start well for the Bruins as the Rams possessed well in the first half and scored in the first 10 minutes of the game. Marcos Da Paz received a ball and broke past the Bruins defense with a quick dribble. Bruins keeper Isaac Landry stepped to the ball, but Da Paz bent the ball towards the opposite post and scored to make the score 1-0.
After the first Rams goal, the Bruins upped their intensity and their possession. The Bruins started switching the ball more and working the attack up from the back as passes became more accurate. However, the Rams kept sending long balls down the wing, causing the Bruins' backline some trouble.
Landry made many great saves as the Ram attackers beat the Bruins defenders and took shots on frame. However, the Rams scored another goal with 16 minutes left in the half. Landry stepped to the shooter who then shot the ball. The ball bounced off Landry and hit the goal post, spinning into the net to put the Rams up 2-0 entering halftime.
In the second half, possession was more evenly divided between the teams. The Bruins had more opportunities to score and their passing sharpened as the team showed great urgency in the attack. They played very direct, but the Rams scored again just 10 minutes into the half as Da Paz finished a ball sent across the goal line to make it 3-0.
Back on their heels, the Bruins refused to quit as they came right back out and attacked the net. Eventually they broke through scoring their first goal near the halfway point of the second half. Sebastian Sulik battled for possession and sent a low centering pass and Peter Waddy was there to finish as he tapped the pass into the net to make it 3-1.
Despite gaining momentum, the Rams took it right back as they scored just minutes later to make it 4-1. Keeper Chris Monczewski, who'd subbed for an injured Landry, made a great punching save from a free kick, but the ball wasn't cleared quickly enough and the Rams were able to put the ball in the net.
The last goal of the game happened in the last 5 minutes as the Bruins again pushed toward the net. Jordan Crews was able to notch his first goal of the season off an assist from Victor Oladipo to make it 4-2. Despite battling back in the second half, the clock ended the Bruins hopes of a comeback as the match ended 4-2.
"We never laid down in this game," Bruins Head Coach Matt Hotchkin said. "Our guys came out from halftime and they were determined to try to win the game. I am proud of these guys. We saw some good things tonight and guys are really starting to accept their roles. Each game, we continue to get better and that is going to start paying off."
Despite being outshot 19-13, the Bruins were smart with their shots as ten of their thirteen shots were on-goal. Next up, the Bruins will welcome Piedmont International University on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
