Alumni Stadium was packed out tonight as the Bruins opened their 2025 season with a high intensity 0-0 draw against the USC Union Bantams.

"Our concern was not being perfect tonight," Head Coach Greg Fulton said after the match. "We have so many new players and so much we want to accomplish, so tonight we're proud of the result because they worked so hard for it, but ultimately we have to get better."

As play began tonight, the Bruins had only five returning starters from last season. That did not change the system that Coach Fulton and Coach McCarty have put into place. The Bruins held steady possession for the majority of the first half. Midfielders Reid Burgin and Will Hotchkin did their best to control the pace of play. David Issa, the only returning player in the defensive line, created several opportunities throughout the game and took almost all the set pieces. In the final five minutes of the first half, the Bantams had four corner kicks and several shots, but couldn't score due to the excellent goalkeeping by Luke Provenzano for the Bruins. Even with good chances for both teams, the halftime score was 0-0.

Going into the second half, everyone thought that surely either team would break through and diminish this 0-0 draw. In the 58th minute of the match, many thought that could be the time when the Bruins would catch a break. Pierre Jean Philippe was fouled near the box, and many thought he was right inside, which would have resulted in a penalty kick. But the foul was given right outside the 18 yard box. That still gave the Bruins a quality chance, but they came up empty.

Still knotted 0-0, the Bruins had one more chance in the final 30 seconds. After clearing out of their own area, Bucky Provenzano won a corner kick for the Bruins which had to be take quickly. It got headed out by a defender directly to the feet of Reid Burgin. The attempt at a game-winner went just barely over the bar, and the intense 0-0 draw came to an end.

"With very few sessions under their belt, I'm proud of the way the boys performed tonight," said Coach Fulton. "USC Union is a really good team, so we're happy with the result, but look forward to growing and getting better."

The Bruins have a short break before being back at Alumni Stadium Monday for a 4:00 p.m. match against USC Salkehatchie.