Deshae Darrell and Micah Pond were on target to help newly crowned National Junior College Athletic Association Region 5 Metro Athletic Conference champions Brookhaven College advance to today’s regional final.

The Lady Bears came from behind to thrash Murray State College 5-1 on Thursday to secure their place in the regional final for the second straight season, with Bermuda Under-20 team-mates Darrell and Pond combining for three goals in their team’s fightback.

“It was a hard fought game against a very strong and aggressive team,” Jimmy Elder, the Brookhaven head coach and former Houston Dynamo and Oklahoma City player, told The Royal Gazette. “We could have played a lot better in the first half and took better control of the game.

“We made some adjustments and player changes in the second half to play our style and take control of the game.”

Brookhaven paid the price for some sloppy defending and were forced to chase the game after falling behind in the eleventh minute.

However, Pond brought the teams level in the 29th minute after taking possession of a loose ball and lashing home from 40 yards with a shot that went through the goalkeeper’s legs.

The floodgates opened in the second half as the Lady Bears took control of the game and pulled away on two goals from Darrell and a hat trick from striker Savanna Hernandez.

The No 1 ranked Lady Bears are away to No 2 ranked Richland College in today’s District F NJCAA MAC Regional Final at Richland College Stadium Field.

“Although it was a great win [against Murray State College] and good achievement, we can’t really celebrate anything unless we beat Richland in the final in what will be an intense battle,” Robert Williams, the Brookhaven assistant coach and former Devonshire Colts player, said.

The Texas-based Lady Bears clinched a maiden Conference title last week with Darrell claiming the Conference’s Golden Boot award with 14 goals.