Micah Kline gave the Bruins the lead late in the second half, but the home team wouldn't allow the Bruins to leave with the win as Guilford College rallied late to win the match 2-1. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 0-2 to open the season.
"We were pretty disciplined and together in how we played for the majority of the game tonight," Bruins Head Coach Matt Hotchkin said. "This is a process for us and we are a little better right now than we were yesterday. That's our focus."
The Bruins came into the match off the heels of a tough home opener in which the team allowed a last-second goal to Piedmont College to fall 1-0. The team would be on the road on Friday night as they faced the Quakers of Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In the opening minutes, the Quakers were able to move the ball into the attacking third as they made several shots on goal. Isaac Landry stood strong for the Bruins with several saves to keep the Quakers off the scoreboard.
The Bruins came right back with runs of their own as Peter Waddy and Jordan Crews were able to gain open looks. Freshman Gasheed Lareche helped keep up the pressure offensively, but the Bruins couldn't find the back of the net as the half ended as it began 0-0.
Both teams came out in the second half looking to find the game's first goal. The Bruins were able to control possession and used good combination play to work around the Quaker defense.
In the 73rd minute, the Bruins broke the scoreless draw as Jordan Crews fed Micah Kline with a pass and Kline scored a goal to put the Bruins on top 1-0. The celebration didn't last long as the Quakers found the equalizer in the 78th minute thanks to a goal by Kenny Nzekwe as the match was tied 1-1.
With under ten minutes to play, the Quakers took their first lead of the game as Nzekwe again found the back of the net to put Guilford up 2-1. Despite a few chances in the closing moments, that goal proved to be the difference as the Bruins fell 2-1.
"We will learn another tough lesson tonight," Coach Hotchkin said. "Our team is learning how to do this. We are learning how to win. Tomorrow we'll play another tough match so it's time to get some rest and work to be ready for tomorrow. Our guys are loving these tests and eventually we will break through."
Bruins keeper Isaac Landry had a great match for the team with 10 saves on the night as the Quakers won the shot margin 19-11. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 0-2 on the season. The team will return home for a match on Tuesday as they welcome Truett-McConnell University to Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
