As the No. 1 seed in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, the Bryan College men's soccer team hosted No. 5 Point University Thursday. The Lions fell behind quickly as they gave up a goal less than two minutes into the game. However, Bryan tied the game six minutes later. Just before the break, the Lions scored to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. The offense started rolling in the second half as they added four more goals to win 6-1. The Lions are now 14-3 on the season.
Joel Glover tied the game for the Lions in the 9th minute. Daniel Branley hit a first touch pass through the defense to Glover, who took a touch and placed the ball in the bottom left corner. Branley scored the second goal, which turned out to be his NAIA leading 10th game winning goal of the season. Alan da Costa played the ball to Branley who flipped it up and lobbed the keeper.
Glover scored less than five minutes into the second half. Da Costa crossed the ball to the back post, and Glover hit it first time into the net. Ryan Griswold scored in the 72nd minute off of a give and go with Branley that got him in behind the defense and he placed it past the keeper. Glover scored his third goal in the 76th minute as he hit a beautiful shot from about 25 yards out off of an assist from Jorge Gonzalez Giron. Griswold concluded the scoring with his second goal in the 85th minute. Zach McCown crossed the ball into the box, Branley flicked it on, and Griswold finished it.
Bryan recorded 18 shots for the game, 8 were on frame. Point tallied 10 shots, 4 were on frame.
Bryan Head Coach Joey Johnson stated, "We have a lot of respect for what Coach Franca has done this year with the Point University program. They have evolved in a short time into a formidable opponent in the AAC. I was pleased with the way our guys responded to adversity early in the game. We stuck together and our belief in each other was unshaken. The creativity in the attacking third was very good and work rate on the defensive side of the ball steadily improved throughout the match. Joel Glover had a standout game, and his finishing was clinical on the evening. Ryan Griswold provided a big spark for us off the bench with his two quality goals. Freshman Josh Smotherman had the best game to date in the red and white. The leadership of our Junior and Senior class was really solid tonight. In the end, it was clearly a team effort this evening. We look forward to playing on Saturday night here at home."
The Lions play again on Saturday at home in the championship game. They will take on the Cobras of Virginia Intermont College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.