The Bruins scored three goals just three minutes apart in the second half as the team shutout #3 Trinity Baptist College 5-0 to capture their first NCCAA DII South Region Championship in program history. Victor Oladiopo led the Bruins with a pair of goals in the win.
"We are happy to return to campus with a south region championship banner," Bruins Head Coach Matt Hotchkin said. "The guys made this a goal at the beginning of this season, and while we have been focused on daily improvement, we always had this as a goal because we haven't won the region. Our older guys have been fantastic leaders, and our younger guys bring needed excitement into the team."
The Bruins came into the match on the heels of a dominant performance on Thursday night as the team shutout #4 Toccoa Falls College 7-0 in the semifinal round. The TBC Eagles came into Saturday's championship match in dramatic fashion as they upset #2 seeded Pensacola Christian College in a penalty shootout on their home court.
This would be the third time this season that the Bruins and Eagles faced off with the Bruins winning both previous matchups on the season. The two teams took the pitch in Pensacola, Florida, knowing one would leave the field as the region champions.
In the opening minutes, the Bruins controlled possession and used good passing to move the ball into the attacking third. The team almost broke into the scoring column as a centering pass from Charlie Barkman nearly found Victor Oladipo for the goal but missed.
Oladipo took advantage of his next opportunity as the senior captain put the Bruins ahead with a goal in the 19th minute to make it 1-0. The Bruins continued to possess well and controlled the pace of play, outshooting the Eagles 17-1 in the opening half. Still, despite their efforts the Bruins couldn't extend their lead as they went into halftime up 1-0.
In the second half, the Bruins came out looking to build on their lead while the Eagles hopes to equalize. It didn't take long for the Bruins to find the back of the net as Micah Hennegan found space but was fouled in the box. Mario Figueroa took a confident penalty and buried the shot to make it 2-0.
Under two minutes later, Peter Waddy extended the lead with a beautiful shot past the Eagles' keeper to make it 3-0. The Bruins weren't done as less than a minute later, Oladipo scored his second goal of the match as he dribbled through the Eagles defense and slid a shot past the keeper. With the goal, the Bruins took a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Bruins continued to control the possession while the Bruins defense turned aside opportunities for the Eagles. As the second half continued, the Eagles caught a break as the Bruins were called for a foul in the box, awarding a PK. Chris Monczewski made a diving save to keep the Eagles off the board as the score remained 4-0.
In the waning minutes of the game, Nathan King put an exclamation point on the Bruins win as he scored to make it 5-0. As the final buzzer sounded, the Bruins players stormed the field as the team celebrated their first region championship with a 5-0 win.
"We're looking forward to representing our campus family as we compete for a national championship," Coach Hotchkin said.
Victor Oladipo led the Bruins with two goals while Mario Figueroa finished the match with one goal and two assists. The Bruins out shot the Eagle 39-8 in the match inclduing a 19-3 margin on goal while keeper Chris Moncewski completed his sixth clean sheet of the season.
With the win, the Bruins punch their ticket to compete at the NCCAA DII National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida, November 16-21. Final seeding for the tournament will be decided in the coming days as the Bruins look to win their second NCCAA DII National Championship in program history.
