The Bob Jones University women's soccer team dominated in a 7-0 victory in Thursday's semi-final match of the NCCAA DII South Region Tournament. Francesca Peters hit the back of the net four times in todays victory over Campbellsville University Harrodsburg. With today's win in Jacksonville, Florida, the Bruins have advanced to the championship match scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
"This was a total team performance and the entire team displayed extremely good patience in possession and that began opening up a lot of opportunities," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael.
"I am so proud of our team," said today's leading goal scorer Francesca Peters. "Everyone worked so hard and we all care so much. This game was a great start to regionals, and I can't wait to see what comes on Saturday."
The Bruins made their way down to Jacksonville, Florida for the start of the post-season as the #1 seed in the south region. They kicked off today's match against #4 Campbellsville University Harrodsburg.
The two teams met earlier this season at the end of September in Kentucky where the Bruins took home the 5-0 win.
As today's game got underway, the Bruins earned a corner kick six minutes in. As Gabriela Gonzalez sailed the ball into the box, Francesca Peters was at the far side of the goal and bumped the ball into the net to put the Bruins up 1-0.
Ten minutes later, Gonzalez dribbled to the center of the field and passed the ball towards Peters who turned and shot the ball past the goalkeeper's gloves to double the lead for the Burins.
Set up similarly to the first Bruins goal, Gonzalez went to the corner for a set piece. As she cleared the ball on frame, Peters was there to knock the ball into the goal to record her first career hat trick. Throughout the rest of the half, the Bruins continued to pepper the goal with shots, but the 3-0 lead held until halftime.
After the break, Kaylee Rochon scored her first of the season and fourth of the game to kick off the second half. With three goals already under her belt in today's game, Francesca Peters wasn't done. Peters received a pass from Shannon Miller, got the ball around the defenders and into the back of the net to tally her fourth goal of the game.
The Bruins pulled ahead to a 6-0 lead as Shannon Miller recorded her first collegiate goal in the 76th minute. With under 10 minutes remaining, Mia Marks sealed the deal for the Bruins to notch the seventh goal of the game.
Bob Jones dominated the stat sheet with 32 of their 50 shots coming on frame.
Following the game, Coach Carmichael said, "Ches Peters was on fire today. We have seen how dangerous of a player she is in the attacking third all season and today was a culmination of the hard work she always puts on the field and was able to notch 4 goals. Gaby Gonzalez, Mia Marks, Sarah Ward and Shannon Miller did a phenomenal job controlling the midfield and giving us fantastic balance which really helped open things up and created numerous goal scoring opportunities. Shannon notched her first collegiate goal and Kaylee Rochon and Mia Marks added to the total. We will now focus on recovery and get ready for our championship match this Saturday."
"I am so proud of the way our team played tonight," said Emily Walton. "Everyone worked hard and kept the possession rate high while continuing to penetrate into the 18 and take shots. We are excited to take on Toccoa Falls and hopefully come home with a dub."
Up next, the Bruins will take to the pitch on Saturday as they battle Toccoa Falls College for another NCCAA DII South Region Championship title.
