Leland Strang

GPS entered Tuesday's soccer match against visiting Chattanooga Christian wanting to leave a good impression, since it was Bruiser Night on campus. The Lady Chargers just wanted to get out of there pretty healthy, because they were already battered and bruised with injuries.

The hosts got their wish; the visitors might not have.

Three players scored for the Bruisers, ranked sixth in Division II-AA, in a 3-1 victory over the depleted roster of Class A/AA third-ranked CCS. The Lady Chargers entered the game with four players in boots or on crutches and added a first-half ankle injury to forward Hannah Henry.

"Tonight was a big win on a big night for us," GPS coach Leland Strang said. "We got all of our players in, and they all contributed. I thought we played well for this part of the season.

"The girls were excited for this win. It was good for the younger girls in attendance to see this."

Keyle Snyder got the Bruisers (4-1-1) on the board with a goal assisted by Akia Harris. The hosts took a 2-0 lead into halftime when Harris fired a shot that hit the crossbar, Izzy Phillips followed that with a header off the side post and MacLaine Brock finished from right in front of the goal.

Haley Smith scored the match's final goal when she handled a bad clear and fired a low shot from about 25 yards out past keeper Ellen Stone.

Ashley Simmons had the Lady Chargers' goal, but the visitors spent the second half with more injured players than subs (three).

"We're dealing with slim pickings right now," CCS coach Cal Sneller said. "In the first half we played frantically and not smart, but I liked our fight in the second half. It's frustrating to the girls because we saw what happened when we kept the pressure on them."

Stone finished with eight saves for the Lady Chargers (5-2-1). GPS's Savannah Williams had seven.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.