The Bob Jones University women's soccer team extended their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Erskine College on Saturday from Alumni Stadium in Greenville, South Carolina. With today's victory the Bruins have improved to 10-4-1 on the season.
"The whole team did great today," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "The midfield was very mobile and interchanging in the possession side, the backline did great, and the wingbacks were creating tons of opportunities for us in the attacking half. Overall the team did a great job doing exactly what we needed them to do."
The Bruins entered today's home match following a big 4-3 win over Southern Wesleyan College on Wednesday. Mia Marks sealed the win for the Bruins in the 57th minute after scoring from the spot on a penalty kick. The Erskine College Flying Fleet have had a tough season and came into today's game still searching for their first win of the season as they sat 0-13-1 on the year.
As the whistle blew to start the game from Alumni Stadium, the Bruins held possession early as both teams looked to feel each other out.
After several good looks on goal, the Bruins finally broke the deadlock as Mia Marks scored for the Bruins with 16 minutes remaining in the first half off of free kick taken by Anna Grace Abrams.
At halftime, it was still anybody's game as the Bruins held on to the 1-0 lead.
The Bruins saw several more chances as the second half got under way. Set up by a beauty of a pass from Kayle Stevenson in the 58th minute, Mia Marks chipped the ball past the Erskine goalkeeper and into the back of the net to double the lead for the home team.
Erskine began to bump up the efforts following that Bruins goal, but the home team was able to preserve their clean sheet.
With over 14 minutes remaining in the match, Abby Herr crossed the ball on frame where Erskine's keeper came out looking for the save but the ball was deflected and circulated back in play. It was Abby Herr who gained possession once again to send the ball to Anna Grace Abrams as she danced around a defender and sent the ball right to the far side post off the hands Erskine's goalkeeper.
Through the rest of the game, the Bruins were able to hold on to their clean sheet and come away with the 3-0 victory.
With today's result, Mia Marks and Anna Grace Abrams are both tied as the team leaders with eight goals on the season. This was also the fourth straight victory for the Bruins and their sixth clean sheet of the season.
"Today everything seemed to click and this will bode well for the team moving forward," said Carmichael. "If we can keep to our game plan, we should finish up pretty well."
Up next, the Bruins get on the bus for a road trip down to Florida where they will play a Monday afternoon match against Florida College followed by a NCCAA Division I matchup on Tuesday against Warner University.
