The Bruins women’s seniors have competed on Alumni Stadium Field for the last time, as they fell to the Bluefield College Rams 2-0 on Senior Night, Oct. 15. The Rams proved to be equal opponents, and the Bruins had difficulty solving their game plan.
“It’s really hard to play against a style of playing that’s contrary to ours, but it just makes you work harder,” senior captain Sarah Porch said.
The Bruins and the Rams each started off the game with quality passing, and the Rams were able to attempt several shots on goal. The BJU defense and junior goalkeeper Tori Anderson stopped them, though, and possession and shots on goal were a constant battle for both the Bruins and Rams throughout the game. The Rams were able to penetrate the Bruins defense with a little under 30 minutes left in the half, and Victoria Doyle put a loose ball in the goal to give the Rams the only goal of the half.
The second half yielded the same results, and Rams midfielder Jessica Newman scored into the right side of the net at the 30-minute mark to make the score 2-0. Although the Bruins worked hard and strung quality passes together, they couldn’t find the net and took their fourth loss of the season.
The home crowd will miss watching the senior players, many of whom played key roles in laying the foundation for Bruins women’s soccer. “They bring leadership, maturity and calmness that we need, and they’re a huge part of our success,” Coach Chris Carmichael said.
