October 25, 2007

 

     Dayton, TN— After being rained out Tuesday night in the first round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, the Bryan Lions finally took the field Wednesday night at home against the Bluefield College Rams.  The semi-final match ups were already determined, and the winner of the Bryan and Bluefield game would go on to play Lions’ rival Covenant College in Chattanooga on Friday.

     The chance to play Covenant proved to be all the motivation that Bryan Head Coach Sandy Zensen’s team would need. The Lions came out looking more organized and more focused than they have in weeks. The team has struggled to find their identity on the field over the last few weeks, losing games they should have won, and costing them the chance at a regular season conference championship.

     Any fear of another poor showing was erased early as the Lions were on the attack from the first whistle. Senior Forward Scott Davidson put pressure on the Rams’ goalkeeper all night long, and created multiple scoring opportunities for the Lions in the opening minutes. Diego Taucano struck first for the home team, taking a pass from Davidson inside the box and netting the first goal of the contest just minutes after the opening kick off.  

     The Lions weren’t content with one goal, and poured on the pressure as the first half continued. Despite Bryan starting forward Curt Hays sidelined by card trouble, the Lions offense didn’t skip a beat, as Scott Davidson again had a hand in a goal, this time finishing the play on his own and putting the home team up 2-0.

     In a heated contest with the loser’s season coming to an end, the game got physical as Bluefield’s frustration mounted. Lions’ starting defender Ryan Simon took a vicious header to the face, and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. It seemed the home team took offense to the rough play, and decided to deal out their punishment on the scoreboard. Just minutes after Davidson’s goal, Jota Da Silva found the back of the net and the rout was on.

    The Lions didn’t seem content with a three goal lead either, and continued the pressure. Bryan continued their assault through the remainder of the second half, and netted two more goals, one of which came on a Scott Davidson spinning bicycle kick that brought everyone on Bryan’s bench to their feet and cheering. Bluefield would answer with a goal of its’ own on a free kick from just outside the box, but that is as close as they would get to the home team. The second of the Lions’ goals came on a ball played over the top and then crossed into the box by Davidson. The cross found a sliding Hayden Lavo who was streaking into the box and connected at the perfect moment, burying the ball behind Bluefield’s demoralized keeper.