The Bruins allowed another early goal and once again couldn't complete the rally as the team dropped their 3rd straight match to open the season as they fell to Truett-McConnell University 2-1. With the loss, the Bruins remain winless in this young season as they wrap up their three-game home stand at 0-3.
"This was a good test for us coming off a tough match yesterday," Bruins Head Coach Chris Carmichael said. "We showed some improvement from things we've been trying to work on and the team continues to work hard."
The Bruins entered Tuesday's game after a tough loss on Monday to Greensboro College. The team was looking for a spark and hoped to play with urgency as they took the pitch against the Bears who came into the match at 2-0.
From the opening kickoff, the Bruins struggled to maintain consistent possession and the Bears took advantage as they were able to penetrate the Bruins defense. The Bears took an early lead thanks to a goal by Jessica Lanier in the 9th minute of the match to put TMU up 1-0.
Finding themselves again in an early hole, the Bruins went back to work trying to get something going offensively. Fatigue would play a factor for the Bruins as the squad was playing their third match in the last four days.
With the half coming to a close, the Bears extended their lead as Kristin Beasley scored to make it 2-0. The Bruins came right back and got a momentum boost from Megan Brubaker as the senior scored off a corner kick from Mikayla Rajcan to make the score 2-1 going into halftime.
In the second half, the Bruins came out looking to tie the game back up. The Bears did a great job of turning aside offensive runs by the Bruins as the team was only able to muster three shots in the entire second half.
As the clock continued to tick away, the Bears continued to stand strong defensively while the Bruins continued to try to push for the equalizer. Despite a few scoring chances late for the Bruins, the buzzer ended any chance at a comeback as the Bears held on for a 2-1 victory.
"We just need to get some rest," Coach Carmichael said. "This team works hard and we just need to keep our chin up. This is the toughest part of our season like it is every year and we just need to come back strong like we do every year."
The Bruins were out shot 20-9 in the match as the team falls to 0-3 to start the season. The Bruins will have a few days of rest before hitting the road this weekend for a matchup against Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina on Saturday.
