In the opening game of pool play in the NCCAA DII National Tournament, the Bruins were able to come away with 3 points in a dominant 4-0 win over the Boyce College Bulldogs in Kissimmee, Florida. Hodari Twishime opened up his 2021 scoring account in the 31st minute to score the first goal of the tournament.
"We showed some nerves early, but we adjusted well and were able to start to work the ball like we are used to doing," said Head Coach Greg Fulton. "Overall this was a great result, and now we will prepare for our game on Thursday as it is win or go home."
The Bruins got off to a quick start as both teams spent the first few minutes feeling each other out. Throughout the opening half, the Bruins were able to settle the game and control possession.
With 15 minutes left in the first half, both sides made several substitutions with Hodari Twishime and Rylan Boldt coming in for the Bruins. Twishime would make an immediate impact. A minute after entering the game, James McCarty would pass the ball up to Twishime who would shoot the ball toward the net where it would trickle in for the first goal of the NCCAA DII National Tournament and mark as Twishime's first goal of the season.
As the game continued, the Bruins would look to extend their lead and in the final minutes of the first half, Ian Arendse would curl the ball around the Bulldogs defenders setting up Caleb Felber to net his 7th goal of the year giving the Bruins a 2-0 lead.
The first half ended with the Bruins leading with 15 shots and only allowing the Bulldogs 2 shots throughout the first 45.
Rylan Boldt got the Bruins off to a great start in the second half as he got around the Bulldogs keeper to score on an empty net in the 48th minute bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Bruins. The Bruins continued to dominate throughout the second half and in the 78th minute, Gasheed Lareche would slot the ball in front of the net where Conley Burk would shoot and score to give another goal to the Bruins.
The Bruins would end the first game with four goals and three points, putting them in good position in Pool A. They will have Wednesday off with no games, before taking to the pitch on Thursday to face off against Manhattan Christian College at 5 p.m. You can stay up to date on all tournament details by clicking here.
