The Bruins handle the Toccoa Falls College Screaming Eagles in the NCCAA DII South Region Semifinal match winning 6-0 on a huge day from Rylan Boldt, Anthony Ruiz, and captain Mario Figueroa.
"I am incredibly proud of the guys today," said Head Coach Greg Fulton. "It is always a challenge at any tournament to get off the starting block and the guys did a great job!"
The first half started very quickly for the Bruins as they made it 1-0 in the 3rd min on a header by Rylan Boldt and assisted by Anthony Ruiz. Then just six minutes later, Mario Figueroa connected with Matthias Baladi for his first assist of the day and Matthias' fifth goal of the season. The rest of the half brought many more chances for the Bruins to add to their lead but it stayed 2-0 going into halftime mostly because of the Screaming Eagles goalkeeper who made some incredible saves talling 11 saves in the first half.
The Bruins were able to bury four more goals in the second half all within seven minutes of play. Anthony Ruiz scored a goal for himself in the 55th minute to make it a 3-0 score and he was assisted by none other than Mario Figueroa. In the 58th minute, Rylan Boldt scored his second goal of the day assisted by Figueroa again extending the lead to 4-0. Less than a minute later, Anthony Ruiz connected with Mario Figueroa to make it 5-0. Finally in the 62nd minute, the Bruins were awarded a penalty kick in which Figueroa buried for his second goal of the day. The 6-0 lead held until the final whistle.
In total, Boldt finished the match with two goals, Ruiz finished with two assists and a goal, and Figueroa finished with three assists and two goals.Â
"We created so many chances and adjusted to the field conditions," Coach Fulton said. "Being the one-seed in a tournament is the hardest position and it takes incredible focus to remain consistent. All eyes are on Saturday and we will spend time recovering in preparation."
The Bruins look to have the same kind of production in the NCCAA DII South Region Championship on Saturday where they will either play host Pensacola Christian College or Trinity Baptist College. The championship match will begin at 2:00 p.m. and the winner will be heading the national tournament!
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