BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Hampden-Sydney tallied a goal early in each half Saturday and the Tigers held on to defeat Bridgewater College 2-1 in ODAC men's soccer action. The contest was the conference opener for both teams.

Hampden-Sydney (5-2-1, 1-0 in the ODAC) put the first goal on the board just 2:11 into the first half . On the second of consecutive corner kicks, Hunter Weiland served the ball into the middle of the box where Eli Strong headed the ball toward the back post. The ball bounced off the post and into the back of the goal for a 1-0 Tigers lead.

The remainder of the first half was scoreless, but the Tigers struck again early in the second half. Weiland possessed the ball just outside the box, split a pair of defenders and beat Eagles keeper Colin Rouaud just inside the far post to put the Tigers on top 2-0.

The Eagles narrowed the margin with their goal in the 66th minute. Julian Ofori possessed the ball near midfield and dribbled toward the top of the box before passing off to his left for Leo Alcantara. Alcantara dribbled to the baseline and passed into the box where Tim Bedell was able to get a touch on the ball to get it past the keeper to trim the deficit to 2-1.

Following their goal, Bridgewater kept plenty of pressure on the Tigers defense for the next 15 minutes, but Tigers' keeper Gray Sutter was up to the task.

Just moments after getting on the board the Eagles earned a corner kick opportunity. Marc Almeida served the ball into the box and Connor Henderson headed the ball down where Ofori was able to get a shot off under pressure from point-blank range. The shot bounced off the Sutter's chest and rolled to his left where Tigers' defender Ryan Killen cleared the ball off the line. Killen's clear went right to Jacob Heiston and his open shot from 18 yards out was blocked.

The Eagles threatened again when Thomas White was open at the top of the box. White's shot, however, sailed just over the crossbar and out of play.

Bridgewater kept the pressure on and moments later created another scoring opportunity. Ofori won the ball under pressure and passed out to the left for White who dribbled toward the endline. White slotted a pass into the box to Alcantara who worked free with a spin move and put a shot toward the near post to the upper 90. Sutter made a leaping save and punched the ball out of play.

Three minutes later, in the 79th minute, the Eagles worked for another scoring opportunity. White once again had a good look at the goal and tried to beat the keeper to the far post. His low, driving shot was on target, but Sutter made a diving save and was able to punch the ball wide of the goal.

The Hampden-Sydney defense kept the Eagles from threatening in the final 10 minutes as the Tigers closed out the 2-1 victory.

Bridgewater held a slim 11-9 edge in shots while the Tigers owned a narrow 7-6 margin in corner kicks.

Rouaud finished the contest with four saves for the Eagles while Sutter recorded six saves for the Tigers.

Bridgewater now 2-6 overall, returns to action Tuesday when the Eagles host Averett in non-conference action.