Bridgewater, Va.- On Sunday, Sept. 3, the Eagles embarked on a journey to Pennsylvania to engage in a non-conference showdown against Saint Vincent, emerging triumphant and commencing the season with two consecutive victories.
The Eagles, following a somewhat lackluster second half performance against the Royals on Friday, rebounded with a resounding statement victory on the road, showcasing a significantly more convincing display of their prowess.
Bridgewater’s defensive solidity continued, with junior goalkeeper Charles Shweinefuss making three crucial saves during the match. The unwavering effort of the backline has consistently made an impact during the first two games of the season.
To open the scoring, a loose ball in the penalty area caught two Bearcat defenders off guard due to miscommunication. This created an opportunity for junior Lestath Savage, who capitalized with authority, notching his second goal in as many games just before halftime. Savage’s consistent performance is becoming a crucial asset for the Eagles’ offensive strength.
Junior Lestath Savage reflected on his recent performances, stating, “I want to express my gratitude to God for the opportunity to be part of such an exceptional team,” said Savage. “Hopefully, we can achieve our team goals and continue to push forward, as conference play approaches sooner than we realize.”
The Eagles started the second half strongly, picking up where they left off. Senior Vincent Marra delivered a precise field-switching pass to freshman Riley Queen, who confidently navigated a one-on-one battle with a defender. Queen then threaded a pass to Savage, who clinically finished to extend the Eagles’ lead by two goals.
Shortly after, the Eagles capitalized on a Bearcats’ clearance error. Senior John Meier took a long-range shot, catching the opposing goalie off guard, and the ball slipped through his hands, further extending the Eagles’ lead, a reflection of their numerous chances in the game.
“I felt I played well, contributing to creating chances. As a team, we settled into the game and finished crucial opportunities.” said Senior John Meier. “ We have great potential this season. Scoring my first goal was awesome, even if it wasn’t the prettiest; keeping the “on-frame” mentality moving forward.”
This Sunday brought forth a couple of notable firsts for the Eagles, with Queen recording his inaugural collegiate assist and Meier notching his first-ever goal during Bridgewater’s thrilling 3-0 victory.
“Today’s match was a tale of two halves as a player: a slow first-half start and struggling to get going,”Freshman Riley Queen remarked. “ However, the energy brought in the second half allowed us to score a second goal, which I assisted, and I’m grateful and excited about it. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us, and I am confident we can accomplish our goals and exceed expectations.”
The Eagles established a commanding presence in the shot department, leading with a 10-4 shot advantage, including a 6-3 lead in shots on goal in favor of Bridgewater. The offense consistently generates a multitude of scoring opportunities.
In the statistical analysis, Dicarlo Torrico led with three shots, one on goal. Freshman Trey Widrick followed closely with two shots, both on target. Savage contributed two shots, securing his brace for the afternoon. Additionally, three Eagles each recorded one shot during the game.
The Eagles are set to return to the Bridgewater Soccer Complex on September 9th, hosting Wilson at 3:00PM. They aim to extend their winning streak on home turf.
