In front of fans, friends, and family, the Bob Jones University women's soccer team scored five unanswered goals to earn the 5-1 victory over Warren Wilson on Senior Night. The women's soccer team has now extended their winning streak to seven games improving their season record to 13-4-1.
"We had plenty of shots on goal, so it was just a matter of time until we got the first one in," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "All we had to do was stick to our game plan, and the team did great with that and created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities. It was a great job by the whole team and Warren Wilson for hanging in and making it tough."
Seniors Jenna Bishop and Korbyn Griffith got the game with a duet of the National Anthem. All eight of the women's soccer team seniors got the starting nod, and at the whistle, Bishop kicked off the game. As the game got underway, the Bruins established themselves early and saw several good looks off of three early corner kicks. But just eight minutes into the match, the Owls would be the first to strike first, taking the 1-0 lead.
The Bruins continued pressing and peppering the goal with shots. And with just under 20 minutes left in the first half, Brinkley Adams crossed the ball in front of the goal where Mia Marks perfectly timed her run to tap the ball in and level the game at one goal a piece. As the clock was running down, the Bruins continued putting balls towards the net. In the 41st minute, as a shot from Anna Grace Abrams was deflected off of the goalkeeper's gloves, Rylee Johnson responded and scored to give the Bruins the much awaited lead going into halftime.
During the halftime break, the Bruins honored seniors Courtney Erickson-Smith, Bekah Shoop, Lauren Murray, Abby Herr, Brinkley Adams, Korbyn Griffith, Jenna Bishop, and Kayle Stevenson for their hard work and commitment to the women's soccer team.
"All of these ladies have been instrumental to our success over the past few years," said Carmichael when speaking of his seniors. "They're leaving a huge hole for us and every one of them has left a footprint on our program, and I can't thank them enough for their hard work and effort."
After the senior night ceremony, both teams took to the field for the second half of play where it was all Bruins from the start once again. After recording five shots earlier in the game, Gabriela Gonzalez was finally rewarded with a goal in the 54th minute off of a volley sent over by Anna Grace Abrams.
It was Anna Grace Abrams with the assist again as she passed the ball forward through two defenders to Brinkley Adams who took one touch and then shot the ball into the back of the net to give her team the 4-1 lead.
After assisting two earlier goals, it was finally time for Anna Grace Abrams to get on the score sheet. In the 64th minute, Sylvia Cummings crossed the ball to Abrams where she slid the ball into the back of the net to bring the tally up to five for the Bruins.
The game ended with the Bruins winning 5-1 and dominating with 38 shots to Warren Wilson's two. Kayle Stevenson led the Bruins with eight shots, but Mia Marks and Gabriela Gonzalez were close behind with six.
"We're looking to finish the season strong, and I know our team will rise to the occasion," said Carmichael.
The Bruins and Owls will face each other again next week as the Bruins make the trip to Warren Wilson College up in Asheville, North Carolina.
