After battling in the rain for 110 minutes, the Bruins secured the 1-0 victory against #4 Crown College in the semifinals of the NCCAA National Tournament from Kissimmee, Florida. Mia Marks scored the lone goal in the 93rd minute to send Bob Jones University to the title match on Saturday.
"What an amazing game and hats off to Crown College for playing a very strong match," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "We knew going into this match that they were a strong team and it would take the best out of each player to win this one. I couldn't be more proud of how hard our team played and despite tough conditions they were able to settle into the game and were able to possess well despite wet conditions and began creating numerous goal scoring opportunities."
The Bruins made the trip to Kissimmee, Florida this week on the hunt for the sixth national championship title. The top-seeded Bruins faced off against #4 Crown College for the first time in program history.
As the game got underway, the two began feeling each other out. As the Bruins settled into the game, they began working towards several goal-scoring opportunities. Throughout the first half, the Bruins recorded 11 shots to the Polars' three.
After halftime, the Bruins continued to play strong in the second half. But despite their best efforts and some great close chances, the Bruins were unable to capitalize on their goal-scoring opportunities.
90 minutes wasn't enough to determine a winner and Bob Jones and Crown College were headed into overtime where they would play two 10 minute periods to decide a winner.
Just three minutes into the first overtime period, the Bruins worked the ball up towards the Polars net. As a Polars defender tried to clear it out of the box, Mia Marks ran towards the ball and sailed it into the back of the net to put the Bruins ahead 1-0. Bob Jones held on to the result through the second overtime period and after 120 minutes came out victorious.
Goalscorer Mia Marks said, "although we were playing in wet conditions, the team never gave an inch and worked to return to the style of play we know works best. Once our possession rate increased, Crown College became very tired, giving us some great opportunities, and ultimately, a goal in overtime to seal the deal."
"We worked hard as a team and got the win today," said defender Braden Adams. "When we work as a unit, it's just great soccer!"
Following the game, Coach Carmichael spoke of his players saying, "Braden Adams continued to have an unbelievably strong match and cut out their attacks with amazingly timed slide tackles as she has done all season. Jessica Townsend also defended very well and was very mobile and found lots of moments to drive into the midfield which provided numerous overloads. Abby Arrowood and Jane Farr continued to lock down the wing space and the entire backline was absolutely brilliant today in every part of the game. Reagan Tierney was solid in both possession and defended incredibly well. I was most impressed with how the team sustained their intensity and were driven to finish this game with a victory. Mia once again came through with the clutch game winning goal and was just solid on both sides of the ball. Margaret Cummings had to battle through an injury she sustained in pregame warmups and once again came up huge for us."
"We will now work on recovery and getting ready for our national championship match this Saturday," continued Carmichael. "God gets the credit for this one as He sustained our players to the end."
Up next, the Bruins will face either #2 Great Lakes Christian College or #3 Southwestern Aventist University in the NCCAA National Championship on Saturday.
