The Eagles Strike First

The Eagles Strike First

| By: Noah Frary
You could feel the energy and anticipation for last night's PCC Eagles Soccer game around campus throughout the week. Last night, marked the first time that our Eagles would take on conference rival Bob Jones University at Eagle Field on the campus of Pensacola Christian College.
 
Every year the Eagles play Bob Jones University in basketball, but this game had a different feel. Nearly 2,500 fans packed into the stands to watch this battle between NCCAA DII Men's Soccer heavyweights. The Bob Jones University Bruins, the defending national champions and current #3 ranked soccer program, versus the up-and-coming Pensacola Christian College Eagles. Pensacola came into this game the current #1 ranked soccer program, a position that we have held for 3 consecutive weeks. This game did not feel like any old regular season game. The tension and excitement felt like a postseason game in the middle of November.
 
The action started quickly right from the kickoff. Our Eagles came out firing on all cylinders and looked like they had been here before. They opened the game with 6 shots in the first 11 minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net. This all changed in the 12th minute when Senior Bobby Walker drilled one home off a beautiful assist from junior midfielder Josh Gijsbertha. Just like that, the Eagles led the defending national champions 1-0.
 
Just 7 minute later, our Eagles would strike again! This time off the foot of Nick Standridge. The ball bounced around in the box, and Nick was able to get on the end of it and drive it home past a diving Isaac Landry. This gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead just 18 minutes into the game. The remaining minutes of the first half ticked by and the Eagles looked dominant. They outshot the Bruins 11-3 in the first half. The defense held strong and largely kept the vaunted Bruins offense in check. Heading into the half, the Eagles looked like they belonged on this stage.

The 2nd half opened, and we began to see the same pattern. The strong defense and a multitude of offensive opportunities continued, but our Eagles were unable to capitalize. As the minutes ticked by the Eagles grew more confident that tonight was their night.

With about 25 minutes left in the game, the tides began to turn. The Bruins started to put together some real chances for the first time all night. Our Eagles legs looked tired after the grueling match that they had endured. In the 68', things would dramatically swing in the Bruins favor. Sophomore forward Nick Standridge took down a Bruins player in the box leading to a Penalty Kick and an opportunity for the Bruins to finally swing the momentum in their favor. Bruins star forward Jared Simmons stepped up to take the kick. Goalie Taylor Jensen, the reigning Defensive Athlete of the Week, stood across from him in the goal. Simmons rocked the ball to the right site by Taylor made a diving save to preserve the shutout and brought the nearly 2,500 Eagles fans to their feet. The scores remained 2-0.
 
The Bruins just would not give up. Ten minutes later, Bruins midfielder Andrew Peterson would score off an assist by Karl Walker to make it 2-1. A flurry of opportunities mounted, but the Bruins were unable to find an equalizer thanks again to the Eagle's strong defense and goalkeeping.
 
In the final minute, the Bruins had several opportunities to win the game. With under 10 seconds remaining the Bruins had one last chance to score an equalizer. A long throw, punched out by Taylor Jensen, landed at the feet of Bruins midfielder Danyon Moore who drove a shot toward the goal. Senior defender Adrian Torres calmly stepped in front of the shot and deflected it out of bounds. This sealed a 2-1 victory for our Eagles.
 
This game felt like a glimpse of things to come. Our Eagles and the Bruins could meet 2 more times this year if they both advance deep into regional play and potentially in the national tournament. While this battle may have ultimately been decided in favor of our Eagles, the results of the rest of the season are yet to be determined. With the win, our Eagles move to 5-2 on the season and continue to further cement themselves as the #1 ranked NCCAA DII Men's Soccer team. With the loss, the Bruins fall to 4-6 on the season. Up next for our Eagles, is a home game tomorrow night against Concordia College at 7pm CT.