With goals by Gabriela Gonzalez and Mia Marks, the Bob Jones University Bruins started their 2023 season campaign with a hard-fought win over North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
"I couldn't be more proud of both the effort and tactically how well we played considering it was our first match of the season," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "North Carolina Wesleyan is a quality side and presented many challenges, but we were able to keep getting stronger as the game moved on."
The Bruins opened their 2023 season from Scalf Field, home of the North Carolina Wesleyan College Battling Bishops Friday afternoon. Looking to start the season off strong, a mix of veterans and newcomers took to the pitch.
Just 22 minutes into the match, Mia Marks would strike first off of a great pass by Sylvia Cummings to put the Bruins on the board. Through the rest of the first half, the Battling Bishops sent several shots towards the Bruins net, but Bob Jones held on to their 1-0 advantage after 45 minutes of play.
After the halftime break, the Bruins came out strong and in the 66th minute the Bruins doubled their lead thanks to a second goal from Mia Marks. The Bruins continued to pepper the North Carolina Wesleyan net as the game began to wind down, and at the end of 90 minutes of play secured the 2-0 victory to open the 2023 season.
When speaking of his team's play today, Coach Carmichael said, "we had many new players keep the level of play high and often were a boost on the field. There were several good chances to get some other goals and I know there will be many more to come. Our defensive line and Midge Cummings in goal did an amazing job of cutting out their attacks into our defensive third. There were also able to build all of our attacks out of the back under pressure which will bode very well moving into the season."
"Hats off to NCWC for a great game and our players for bringing the energy to the game," continued Carmichael. "This is an incredibly talented team and our captains have done a phenomenal job helping to build into them and help with our early success."
Following the game, forward midfielder Mia Marks said, "it was awesome to see the whole team contribute to a hard-fought win. We were able to break down the opposing team's defense and finish when it counted."
The Bruins and Battling Bishops concluded today's match even at 10 shots apiece, with the home side slightly ahead with six shots on target to the Bruins' four. But it was Bob Jones that finished the game with a 2-0 clean sheet.
Up next, it will be a quick turnaround for the soccer program as they are back on the same field in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to play Meredith College tomorrow at 2 p.m.
