Four different Bruins hit the back of the net as the Bob Jones University women's soccer team defeated North Carolina Wesleyan University 5-2 in their 2022 season opener in Raleigh, North Carolina.
"The entire team did a fantastic job generating a number of goal-scoring opportunities and slotting in five goals to get the win," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "I am proud of the team for grinding through some challenges we had in our possession and staying composed. North Carolina Wesleyan really challenged us today."
As the whistle blew to begin today's contest, the women's soccer team wasted no time as Gabriela Gonzalez opened her 2022 scoring account just 55 seconds into the game.
The Bruins saw several more scoring opportunities before Mia Marks doubled the lead for the Bruins in the 16th minute after collecting a long ball by Abby Herr and slotting it past the keeper.
The Battling Bishops cut the Bruins lead down to one just two minutes later with a goal of their own.
Up next, Kayle Stevenson sent the ball into the back of the net with a nifty move to increase the lead again for the Bruins.
North Carolina Wesleyan would respond with another goal just a few minutes later, but as the Bruins brought the ball back down the field an assist from Gabriela Gonzalez would give newcomer Ashlyn Schmidt a nice run to get behind the defenders and score her first goal as a Bruin and bring the score to 4-2 heading into halftime.
In the 64th minute, it was once again Gabriela Gonzalez that crossed the ball to Kayle Stevenson who flicked it into the back of the net tallying her second goal of the game.
North Carolina Wesleyan peppered the Bruins net with several shots in the final minutes of the match, but Bob Jones held strong and closed out their season opener with the 5-2 win.
With the offense scoring five goals, Coach Carmichael also complimented the defensive line noting that they held strong and worked hard to keep the Bruins in the game.
The Bruins recorded 13 shots and 10 shots on goal while Kayle Stevenson netted two goals and Gabriela Gonzalez ended the contest with a goal and two assists.
Following the game, Kayle Stevenson said "despite the heat I am proud of our team for finishing strong and pulling through with the win for our first regular season game. We will take what we've learned to the next game and I am looking forward to a great season ahead."
It's a quick turnaround for the soccer program as they play Meredith College tomorrow at noon in Raleigh, North Carolina.
