Bryan Defeats Bluefield in Conference Opener
September 15, 2007
Bryan 3 - Bluefield 2
Bryan traveled to Virginia this weekend to begin their quest for an AAC Conference title, opening up against Bluefield College. A much improved Bluefield team proved to be prepared to play and worked hard to challenge the Lions and protect their home ground. The Lions, however, came to battle to open up their conference schedule with a win on the road. Just twelve minutes into the match, Jota da Silva was fouled from behind, in the box, and won a penalty kick opportunity for the Lions. Senior Captain Scott Davidson stepped up and converted, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Only nine minutes later, Bluefield midfielder, Eric Pozzani struck a free kick from the edge of the box which curled into the side netting at the far post evening the match. The Lions would not take long to regain the lead as three minutes later Scott Davidson crossed a free kick to the far post which found the foot of Diego Taucano on a volley that struck the left post and found the net. The seesaw battle continued as Bluefield scored again nine minutes later off a throw in opportunity that rattled around in the box and eventually was driven in by Pozzani for his second of the night. The tie ballgame stood until one minute was remaining in the first half when Curt Hays swung a cross in from the right side which deflected off a Bluefield defender and bounced towards Scott Davidson who volleyed it through a crowded box past a diving Brandon Melchor in goal to give the Lions a lead they would not relinquish again.
Midway through the first half, defender Daniel O'Kane received a controversial red card on a breakaway foul giving Bluefield a man advantage for sixty minutes. The Lions battled hard in the second half to preserve their lead with Senior Nate McCown leading by example at center back. Manoel Silva applied tremendous pressure up top with others working hard behind him to help the Lions defend their lead and open up their conference schedule with a road win.
The Lions now stand at 7-1 (1-0 AAC) and are ranked #2 in NAIA Region XII and #5 Nationally in the NCCAA Div. I . The Lions will next be in action on Tuesday night, September 18th, as they host their arch rivals Covenant College. Coach Zensen is confident that the Lions fans will turn out in great numbers to support their 2007 Lions in what will be a great match.