The Bruins women’s soccer team set the stage for the final four away games with a 3–1 win over the Chowan University Skyhawks Saturday afternoon, Oct. 19. The Bruins were looking to regain momentum after falling in two consecutive games leading up to Saturday’s matchup against Chowan.

“We switched to a 4–3–3 formation, which demands more energy and a higher level of intensity,” Coach Chris Carmichael said in response to the win. The formation shift was made because of some injuries and a rearrangement of players. “[The formation] worked to our advantage as it insisted a more possessive game with good ball movement up the field, which ultimately led to scoring chances.”

The women were able to create open looks not just with ball movement, but also by excellent movement away from the ball. It took the Bruins only 13 minutes to capitalize on one of many first-half opportunities, as senior Sarah Porch followed a shot and was able to find the back of the net with a rebound. But the Skyhawks did not let up, and Chowan ripped off nine shots, all extinguished by junior goalkeeper Tori Anderson and the Bruins defense. The Bruins went into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

After halftime, the Bruins needed only two minutes to beat the Skyhawks defense again and work the ball to Porch, who tallied her second goal of the game with a spectacular upper-ninety finish.

“Because of the adjusted formation,” Carmichael said, “the team had to exemplify a harder work ethic, which in turn, led to a strong defensive showing.” The Bruins had a clean sheet until the 75th minute when Skyhawks player Erica Jefferson beat Anderson and narrowed the Bruins’ lead to 2–1. This gave hope to the Skyhawks, but it was quickly drained as sophomore Spencer Martin consummated the Bruins’ victory off an assist by sophomore Jennifer Wise — her third assist of the game.