The first half of the Lady Bruins’ soccer game against the Lady Bulldogs of Sutherlin ended with the score knotted up at 0-0 in what seemed to be a very physical game.

Bruins and Bulldogs alike were covered in mud from being knocked to the ground during the pushing, shoving and kicking that marked the game play on Thursday evening.

No yellow cards were issued during the course of the game, but play was stopped for injuries at multiple times through the match-up.

The second half found the Bulldogs scoring first to go up by one goal over a Lady Bruin team that seemed to be playing without their usual intensity.

“As a team we could have worked harder,” Head Coach Fred Juarez said. “There were individuals that were working hard out there, but we could have moved to the ball more.”

Molly Joyce, a recent addition to the Lady Bruin soccer team, scored the first goal for the Bruins with 27:05 remaining in the second half to tie it up 1-1.

The Bulldogs scored two more goals at the 20 and 15 minute marks, before Joyce would answer with another Bruin goal with less than two minutes left in the game.

The Lady Bruins turned up the pressure with 10 minutes remaining in the game and Joyce was able to score after the ball bounced around the goalie box, being shot at the goal by multiple Bruin attackers.

“It felt good to score two goals,” Joyce said. “I wish I could have scored more, but I’m glad I scored two.”

Iva Hart had an opportunity to even the score after a penalty on the Lady Bulldogs gave the Lady Bruins a penalty kick.

Hart kicked the ball well, but the goalie made an unlikely save to keep the Bruins from tying the game.

The Bruins dropped from first place with the loss to the Lady Bulldogs, who now hold the top spot – one point ahead of the Bruins.

Brookings-Harbor faces Sutherlin again in the final regular game of the season, and will look for some redemption.

“We’ll hand it back to them now that we know what we have to improve on,” captain Louie Deraita said. “One loss isn’t going to stop us from winning the league championship.”

The Lady Bruins will have to start their bid to win the championship title for the fifth time in a row with a victory over Douglas on Monday at home. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.