Box Score
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BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Bridgewater College took a 2-0 halftime lead Tuesday afternoon and the Eagles held off Southern Virginia in the second half for a 2-1 non-conference victory in men's soccer action.
The victory was the second straight for the Eagles, now 3-6 on the season. Southern Virginia dropped to 2-7 overall.
The Eagles took the offensive early with pressure on the Knights back line. Bridgewater just misfired on two shots in the 14th minute in its bid to take an early lead. Alex Farrington's shot from the top of the box hit the far post and bounced back into the field of play. The ball ricocheted right to Connor Henderson and his shot from the right side sailed just over the crossbar as the Knights withstood the Eagles' early flurry.
Bridgewater got on the board moments later as it continued to apply pressure at the offensive end. Ben Lewis took possession of the ball on the left side and crossed the ball through the box to Henderson. The Eagles freshman booted the ball into the open goal for a 1-0 Eagles lead in the 17th minute of play. The goal was Henderson's second of the season.
The Eagles scored again in the 33rd minute when Ricky Capuano dropped a nice pass to Max Chacon and the sophomore forward beat the Knights goalie for a 2-0 Bridgewater advantage. The goal was the team-leading third goal of the season for Chacon.
Bridgewater went on the attack early in the second half, but the Knights countered and a goal in the 64th minute sliced the Eagles lead in half. Southern Virginia's Carter Woods gained possession on the left side and carried the ball into the box. Woods then snuck a shot past Eagles keeper Kevin Morris just inside the near post, pulling the Knights to within 2-1.
The Eagles had chances to extend their lead back to two goals, but were unable to convert. Ricky Capuano took a shot from the top of the box that was blocked by a Southern Virginia defender, but the rebound went to Avery Walker. Walker's shot from 10 yards out in front of the goal sailed high.
Bridgewater almost connected on a set piece moments later when Capuano's corner kick set up a header opportunity from Henderson, but that shot once again sailed high and out of play.
The Knights had one last opportunity to knot the score, but the attempt rolled just wide of the mark. In the 82nd minute, Colin Flynn was all alone along the left side of the box. His shot to the far post eluded Morris, but the ball rolled just wide of the mark and out of bounds as the Eagles maintained the one-goal advantage.
Bridgewater held a 23-9 edge in shots, including a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Eagles also held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
Morris finished the contest with two saves, one in each half, while Southern Virginia goalkeeper Efren Gutierrez recorded 10 saves.
Bridgewater returns to action Saturday afternoon when the Eagles host Emory & Henry in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action. Game time at the BC Soccer Field is 4:00 p.m.
