Box Score
The Bees faced off against the 3-0-1 Grizzlies of Georgia Gwinnett on Sunday.  It would prove to be a very tough match as each team found difficulty in penetrating the defensive sets of the other.  Few shots were taken on goal as each team expended energy in responding to offensive sets.  No scores were recorded until well into the second half when the Grizzlies finally put one into the net at the 58:29 mark of the match.  Coach Tom Melville commented, “Today's game was a very good one in terms of illustrating quality soccer.  I felt that we possessed the ball very well in the first half and early in the second half.”
 
“The breakthrough for the Grizzlies came with about 33 minutes remaining in the match when Gwinnett scored off a well-timed diagonal run that beat our offside line and was slotted past Keeper Josh Brown.  Despite giving up the goal we had plenty of time remaining to get back into the game,” said Melville.
 
Two exceptional saves were recorded by Gwinnett Goalie Greg Hartley and both shots could have given SCAD the two scores to win the match.  Melville reflected on the first of these attempts.  “Both teams were patient in their build up with us coming close to scoring at the 3:40 mark in the opening half off a corner kick.  Jose Izurieta-Herrera crossed to find Brinton Nute on a diving header that just glanced off the post, wide.” 
 
The second of these saves was recorded in the last minute of the game.  With SCAD down 1-0 and 50 seconds remaining, SCAD's Nial Doherty was able to fire a shot at the upper left corner of the goal.  The Grizzly goalie dived to his right and was able to get a couple of fingers on the ball to deflect it just enough for it to pass inches wide.  It was a tough loss for the Bees.  In its four matches SCAD has given up a total of only six goals.  But with the loss the Bees fall to 1-3 on the season. 
 
As he reflected on the match, Melville had these closing comments, “In the remaining 30 minutes we seemed to lose our composure and discipline as we rushed many set pieces and were not patient in our build up.  Our younger players need to learn this aspect of the game and be disciplined not to panic.  Our more seasoned players must also lead by example. The final result is a difficult one to accept as I felt that we were the better team in most aspects of the game, but sometimes life can be a cruel teacher. The most important thing is that we learn from this and bounce back well.”
 
SCAD's next opportunity to “bounce back” will be against Flagler College on 9/12 at the SCAD Sports Complex.  Game time will be at 7 p.m.