The Bruins women's soccer team battled hard to the end, but the team came up short in the NCCAA DI South Region Championship with a 1-0 loss to Carolina University. With the loss, the Bruins will await to see if they will receive an at-large bid to compete at the DI National Tournament.
"Our team played a hard fought match and in the end just came up short," Bruins Head Women's Soccer Coach Chris Carmichael said. "It's really hard to lose a championship match especially when we have had an amazingly successful season and I feel for the players as this was a game that we should have won."
The Bruins came into the match on the heels of defeating #3 Columbia International University 3-0 in the region semifinal on Wednesday. The team was looking to win their first-ever region championship at the Division I level but knew they would be in for a tough test as they faced the top-seeded Carolina University Bruins who came into the match at 12-5-1.
In the opening minutes, the Bruins came out looking to establish momentum and keep possession. Mia Marks was able to get a clean shot on frame in the early goings but Carolina keeper Sarah Walters made the save.
The two teams went back and forth trading possession before a foul on BJU gave Carolina a free kick just past midfield. On the ensuing kick, Alessandra Lopez lofted a looping shot towards frame which found its way past Bruins' keeper Rebekah Shoop as Carolina grabbed an early 1-0 lead.
The Bruins looked to find the equalizer as they moved the ball into the attacking third. Despite several great chances, the team was just not able to find the back of the net as the two teams went into halftime with the score 1-0.
In the second half, the Bruins again went on the offensive as Gabriela Gonzalez fired a shot on frame but Walters again made the save. As the half wore on, the pressure mounted as the Bruins again tried for the equalizer.
Despite having several great chances throughout the remainder of the match, the Carolina defense stood strong and keeper Sarah Walters made several clutch saves to preserve the clean sheet as the Bruins fell 1-0.
"We were able to put the pressure on them for the majority of the second half and had enough chances on goal to put it away but it just wasn't our day," Coach Carmichael said. "We will have to wait to see if we qualify for an at-large bid. This is an amazing team and my hope is that our team will see the unbelievable success they had this season irrespective of the outcome of this match. To God be the glory thru thick and thin."
The Bruins out shot Carolina 17-8 in the match including a 13-4 on-goal margin. The team will now await the decision from the NCCAA Championship Committee to see if the team qualifies for an at-large bid. The NCCAA DI National Tournament will take place November 28 - December 3 in Kissimee, Florida. If awarded, this would be the third-straight appearance for the Bruins at the national tournament.
