Lions Stand at 6-1-1 With Big Win Over Tennessee Wesleyan
October 9, 2007
Bryan 5, Tennessee Wesleyan 1
Several weeks ago, Bryan had to come from behind - two goals down in the second half - to defeat a strong Tennessee Wesleyan team on the Lions ‘ home ground, 3-2. There would be a different story told in the rematch. The Lions traveled to Tennessee Wesleyan on Monday, looking to preserve their run of six consecutive games without a loss....... and returned home successful.
On a rare ninety degree day in October, it was apparent that the Lions‘greatest asset as a team was just that.... they are a team. Depth was the key to this victory as every player on the team played a role in this victory and the Lions were able to apply consistent pressure throughout the match, and particularly in the second half, to bring home a huge road win.
In the tenth minute, Hayden Lavo took a feed from Tyler Cheek to open the scoring for the Lions. However, just two minutes later, the Bulldogs countered with a goal of their own on a breakaway. The game settled in a bit and was largely a midfield battle for much of the first half. In the 36th minute, substitute Dwight Sell, with his first touches of the game, set himself up and hit a bomb from thirty-five yards out that caught the inside of the far post and bounced out. The Lions continued to pressure and were rewarded as Justin Smith took the ball on the left side and worked a little magic beating two defenders on the dribble, cutting back, and placing the ball past the Wesleyan goalkeeper. Halftime score: Lions 2- Bulldogs 1
In the second half, it was all Lions as their depth began to take a toll on the Bulldogs. Nine minutes in, Tyler Cheek slammed one home from the edge of the eighteen yard box, continuing his consistent goal-scoring production for the Lions. Five minutes later, Ben Whitley scored for the Lions. With three minutes remaining in the match, Seth Flores played a nice ball into Daniel Pinckney who hammered it home to the left of the keeper to finish off the goal -scoring and drive the final nail home in the Bulldog's coffin.
Defensively, the Lion's got good minutes out of Christian Litwin and Joe Courtwright in goal. Caleb Beasley, Michael Schroeder, David Villanueva and Chris Kloc started in the back and did a nice job containing the Bulldog's dangerous strikers.
All in all, it was a stellar performance from this quality group of young men, the Bryan Lions Classic Team. The Lions are now 6-1-1 on the season and finish up with arch rival Covenant College at home on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:30 pm. Come out and support our guys as they take on Covenant!