Bridgewater, VA- On Oct. 21, the Eagles hit the road to face their ODAC rival Ferrum, and their victorious 3-1 scoreline not only earned them three crucial points but also fortified their standing, underscoring their season’s resolve.
Following a masterful free kick from junior DiCarlo Torrico, precisely curving into the box, freshman Trey Widrick executed an impeccable header near the post, resulting in a goal that propelled the Eagles into a 1-0 lead.
In an electrifying match, one that will be talked about for quite some time, a controversial call served as a turning point. The Panthers, seizing the opportunity that came their way, managed to level the score at 1-1.
It was in the 38th minute when junior Zach Jarvis’s shot created chaos in the Panthers’ defensive 18-yard box. The Eagles seized the moment as the captain and defensive linchpin, junior Justin Scott, pounced on the rebound finding the back of the net. This goal handed the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
“Coming into the game, we knew we had to bring a surge of high energy,” said Scott. “Our unwavering work rate in response to our last performance was phenomenal. This win was crucial, earning us three pivotal points in our postseason push, but the job is far from complete.”
As the second half commenced, the Eagles wasted no time in demonstrating their prowess. Freshman Riley Queen initiated a splendid passing sequence, linking up with the swift sophomore Cole Dunbar. A precision cross into the box set the stage for freshman Gavin Kast, who delivered a masterful shot that found its mark, further extending the Eagles’ lead on this crucial night.
The Eagles remained relentless throughout the half, controlled the pace of the game and showcased their dominance. They outshone the Panthers in the shots department, tallying nine attempts compared to the Panthers’ four. Bridgewater’s superiority extended to shots on goal, where they held a commanding lead, registering five shots on goal to the Panthers’ three.
Bridgewater’s offensive prowess was evident as they accumulated a total of 13 shots, with seven of them finding their mark on goal. Widrick, a standout player currently holding a top-ten position in the ODAC for total shots, accounted for three of the total shots, with all of them landing on goal. Meanwhile, Kast and Queen each contributed three total shots to the team’s impressive offensive display.
“I think this game was a very important win,” said Widrick. “It was a must-win to continue our run to get into the playoffs and we needed a confidence boost to get back to ourselves. I’m hoping we can get into the tournament and show the other teams who we really are.”
In a standout performance, junior Charles Scheweinefuss made a significant impact on the game by showcasing his goalkeeping prowess, making five crucial saves while conceding just one goal.
“It was a solid win today,” expressed senior Vincent Marra. “The energy was great from players on the bench to the players on the field. With the season coming close to the end, we are fighting with everything to keep our season going.”
