A brace by Gabriela Gonzalez would help send the #1 BJU Bruins to the championship game of the NCCAA DI South Region Tournament after they defeated #4 Carolina University 3-1 Tuesday evening down in Lake Wales, Florida. It was win or go home in today's semifinal match, and the Bruins were able to beat the Carolina University Bruins for the second time this season.
"The players did a great job gutting through a very physical match," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "There were a lot of frustrations and we never found a rhythm of play but we were still able to create a number of goal scoring opportunities."
As the semifinals of the South Region match kicked off down in Lake Wales, Florida, BJU would send the ball towards the net several times, but it wasn't until the 36th minute that the deadlock would be broken. Mia Marks would head the ball towards Gabriela Gonzalez where she would work around the defenders and shoot and score from outside the 18 yard box giving the BJU Bruins a 1-0 lead.
Bob Jones would maintain their lead through the end of the first half. As the second half progressed, the BJU Bruins would look to create more opportunities sending several shots on goal. But a foul called on the Bruins would prove costly as Carolina University was able to set up a free kick which would lead to a goal in the 60
th minute to level the game.
Despite conceding a goal, the BJU Bruins would work hard to get back their and they would do just that 10 minutes later when Gabriela Gonzalez would got top-corner to notch her second goal of the game and her 10th goal of the season.
The women's team wouldn't stop there. Mia Marks would get around the Carolina goalkeeper to score on an open goal and give the Bruins the 3-1 advantage.
"When Carolina notched the equalizer, we we were able to get back to business and get the goals we needed to win," said Carmichael. "I love how this team never gives up and keeps creating opportunities to win."
With the Bruins 3-1 win, they have now advanced to the NCCAA DI South Region Championship.
"This is a huge win for us," said defender Korbyn Griffith. "Despite not playing our best, we kept our heads up and put in two second half goals to send us to the championship match. I am so proud of how hard we have worked this season to get us here."
Coach Carmichael says that "we will now work on recovery and we look forward to playing in the championship match on Friday."
The Bruins will now take on the winner of Wednesday night's semifinal game between #2 Warner University and #3 Columbia International University on Friday night.
