The Bruins marched down to Pensacola and secured the South Region Championship beating the Pensacola Christian College Eagles 3-1!
"We set out this year specifically to win this title," Head Coach Greg Fulton said. "With such a remarkable season we knew we would be a national contender but this title means so much more than a national bid."
The first half started with the Bruins threatening on the offensive side right away. They had several early free kicks and corner kicks that gave them looks towards the net but they couldn't finish. The Bruins defense held the Eagles offense from making much movement, so the Bruins remained poised. Then in the 18th minute, Bryce Ramler made a great run down the line and crossed it into the box finding former Eagle and now solidified Bruin star Anthony Ruiz and Ruiz finished it giving the Bruins the 1-0 lead in the first half. The rest of the half was calm and the 1-0 lead held until halftime.
Pensacola came out in the second half much more aggressive and seemed to control the pace for the first 20 minutes of the half, but again, the Bruins defense made of two all-region first team defenders in Baladi and Provenzano, an all-region second team defender Albert, and all-region goalkeeper Braswell didn't let them capitalize. The momentum shifted back the Bruins way in the 72nd minute, though. Eli Solomon broke through with the ball at his feet in the offensive half and found Rylan Boldt who scored making it 2-0! That took a little pressure off the Bruins but they weren't done. In the 85th minute, Eli Solomon wanted a goal for himself and he got one. South Region Player of the Year Mario Figueroa found Solomon on a through-ball and Solomon was able to poke it over the charging Eagles goalkeeper to make it 3-0. The Eagles were able to answer back quickly with a free-kick but it proved to be too-little-too-late because the Bruins held on to win 3-1 taking the region back from the Eagles who beat them last year.
Coach Fulton is thrilled with the win but knows what's to come: "What a feeling to beat PCC on their field to win the region, redeeming last year's final loss. We know we can't relax, though, and will quickly set our sights on a national title, but for tonight we will celebrate the incredible accomplishment of this special group!"
The Bruins will now have a week until they travel down to Kissimmee, Florida for the national tournament where they will mostly be the one seed.Â
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