The Bruins played their lone preseason exhibition on Friday night as the team competed in a Blue/White scrimmage at Alumni Stadium. Jordan Crews scored the lone goal on a penalty kick to give the white team a 1-0 victory. Despite being an intrasquad scrimmage, the BJU student body showed up and socially distanced with over 800 fans at Alumni Stadium.
"We were just excited to play even if it was against ourselves," Bruins Head Coach Matt Hotchkin said. "We're still not there yet, but tonight gave us a good picture of things and showed me what some of our guys are capable of."
Both Bruins squads played with a lot of high energy and tempo with several great opportunities in the first half. Chris Monczewski and Bradley Tart each made key saves for their team throughout the half as the first half ended as it began tied 0-0.
In the second half, both teams worked through their combinations to create open lanes to score. The white team would get on the board first as Conley Burk threaded a nice pass to find Jordan Crews just past the defender. Crews was fouled inside the box setting up a PK. Crews took a confident penalty strike and buried it in the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Despite several chances throughout the remainder of the match, the lone goal by Crews proved to be the difference as the white team held on for a 1-0 victory.
"We have a lot more talent and skill this year," Coach Hotchkin said. "Not only did we bring in a good recruiting class but our returners have also returned better which is a good recruiting class in and of itself. You saw tonight that it got really competitive almost like we were playing another team, but it was good because these guys will go home as brothers. It was a good night for our team."
The Bruisn will open the 2020 season at home on Saturday as the team welcomes Toccoa Falls College. Kickoff for the home opener is set for 6 p.m.
