Box Score What an exciting game we had today as Bluefield fought to a thrilling 2-2 draw with Bryan College. The Lady Rams found themselves trailing 2-0 until late in the second half when #13 Joanna Lemus-Rios stepped up big for Bluefield. Joanna scored both of Bluefield's goals, with her first bringing the Rams within one and her second tying the game.
The Rams made strategic changes in their play style, and it paid off. The entire team, not just individual players, played a pivotal role in the turnaround. Coach Patrick implemented a plan and rotation that made a difference. Bluefield's defense was dominant in the first half, with Bryan taking 10 shots but failing to score. Autumn Matthews excelled as the goalie, while defenders Macy McBride, Annalee Woodson, and Taylor Inocelda-Bihag stepped up, blocking numerous plays before Bryan could get shots off.
The second half began with Bryan taking a 1-0 lead just five minutes in, thanks to a long-range shot from Gavyn Davis that barely crept under the top of the net. Bryan extended their lead to 2-0 shortly after with a free kick resulting from a "handball" violation against Bluefield.
With about 20 minutes remaining, Bluefield drove the ball downfield. Hannah Thacker was fouled in the goal box, but the anticipated free kick was not awarded. Instead of letting the missed opportunity defeat them, the Rams used it as motivation. Macy McBride's corner kick found Joanna Lemus-Rios, who scored Bluefield's first goal of the day, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 with just seven minutes left.
The Rams continued to press, and Cassidy Genier's determined push-upfield resulted in a pass to Joanna Lemus-Rios. Joanna's second goal of the evening tied the game 2-2, igniting the crowd and Bluefield's bench in celebration, with one player even raising Coach Patrick's chair in excitement.
Coach Patrick Ritter praised the team's effort after the game: "After our first two conference games, we felt we needed to reevaluate and make changes. The ladies embraced those changes and came out today with a very strong effort. We went down by two goals in the second half but they all still kept pushing. Joanna's first goal on Macy's corner ignited us, and she found her second goal just 64 seconds later from a Cassidy assist. We are so proud of them for continuing to believe we could get back into the game, and what an exciting way to finish for our first point in conference play!"
The Rams will look to build on this momentum as they head to Montreat College for their next match on September 17th.
