September 7-8

 

Bryan College 3 - William Carey 2
Bryan College 0 - University of Mobile 3

 

The Bryan College men's soccer team traveled to Mississippi and Alabama over the weekend and came home with mixed results.  

 

First on the schedule was William Carey University on Friday night, and the Lions arrived prepared to avenge a 2006 homecoming loss that certainly had not been forgotten.  The Lions pounced early on the Crusaders with a goal coming from substitute Jacobo Gallardo midway through the first half.  Jacobo struck a 25-yard blast which found its way past goalkeeper Jeremy Mapson. The goal was assisted by Jota da Silva.  The score would remain 1-0 at the half. 

 

Second half, the Lions maintained their momentum as they increased their lead to 2-0 with a goal from Mano Silva who one-timed a shot past a frozen Mapson early into the second half.  Again, Jota da Silva was the playmaker as he pulled the ball back from the right side to a waiting Silva in the box.  Shortly after, the Crusaders countered with a goal of their own from a shot inside the Lions' eighteen yard box.  The Lions once again found the back of the net in what proved to be an important goal as senior Scott Davidson recieved a beautiful through ball from Chilean Diego Ortiz Taucano and went in one-on-one with Mapson.  Davidson cooly delivered the ball into the left corner of the net and the Lions led 3-1. 

The 2-goal lead was painfully short, however, as 28 seconds later the Crusaders drove a long ball into a well covered defensive area and a lapse in communication allowed the ball to find the back of the net.  The Lions continued to battle and were rewarded with the victory. 

 

Carlos Sanchez and Josh Courtwright shared time in goal, with Courtwright suffering a concussion after a tough collision challenging for a cross in the box.  The Lions played well and Coach Sandy Zensen was pleased with the result.

 

On Saturday, the Lions faced nationally ranked University of Mobile in a game that was really a tale of two halves.  The Rams of Mobile jumped all over the Lions early and simply had the better of the first half racking up three goals in 45 minutes.  A beautiful volley by Ugandan Ikungo opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a second goal coming in the 25th minute.  With nine minutes remaining in the half, a Mobile striker was dropped in the box, providing a penalty kick opportunity which was converted by the Rams. 

 

The second half opened with the Lions adjusting tactically and working hard.  Bryan placed Mobile under a lot of pressure and created some quality opportunities to score.  German GK Rochovski was forced to make a save early in a one v one situation with Scott Davidson and the Lions continued to press.  Diego Ortiz Taucano had a tremendous game for the Lions as he continually beat his opponent down the left side to create dangerous situations.  Senior Nate McCown, after having a solid game at the back, was forced to leave the game after being undercut on a defensive header and landing hard on his back.  James Carmichael stepped in to shore up the position. 

 

The Lions were unable to find the back of the net, but had a solid second half, controlling much of the play and creating quaility opportunities going forward.  After 90 minutes, the Lions had to leave the field tasting defeat for the first time this season.  It is a taste that didn't sit well with the Lions, and the character of this team will only drive them to work harder and be more focused throughout the remainder of this season.

 

The Lions are now 6-1 (0-0 AAC) and are ranked #2 in the region.  The Lions open up their conference schedule this weekend as they travel to Bluefield College.