Bridgewater, Va. – After finishing non-conference play 2-3-2, the Bridgewater women’s soccer team looks to get in a rhythm as ODAC play begins. The Eagles are 1-1 in conference play thus far after beating their crosstown rival Eastern Mennonite 6-0 and dropping a nailbiter to Virginia Wesleyan 1-0.
The Eagles are a young team consisting of just three seniors. With a lot of players stepping into bigger roles, non-conference play helps give those younger players the experience they need heading into conference play.
Skylar Daum, a graduate senior, is the only player who remains from the team who won the ODAC championship in the 2020-2021 season. Her experience is important to a younger Eagles squad as she has made one of the All-ODAC teams the last three seasons.
“As a younger team, we have been doing a lot of learning, but overall we have been finding success and are continuing to get better each game,” said sophomore Kat King. “I’m really excited to continue seeing us grow each game.”
Non-conference games can be a learning experience and an opportunity to establish an identity as a team.
“Those games are important for us because we want to play teams who mimic or are better than the competition in the ODAC,” said King. “It is also important because it’s a good time to clean up our play before we get into games that matter for the [ODAC] tournament.”
The Eagles have completed the non-conference slate for the 2024 campaign with a losing record, but getting hot at the right time can help them move forward as the season goes on.
“The season got off to a slow start because we were having trouble finishing and scoring on the chances that we created, but we are starting to figure it out now and use all the pieces as we continue ODAC play,” said junior Anna Belan.
The Eagles were picked to finish 4th in the ODAC before the season, but they may have something to prove, especially to the three teams picked ahead of them. Although the Eagles graduated key players after the 2023 season, it is a great opportunity for younger and less experienced players to step into key roles.
The Eagles continue ODAC play as they host Shenandoah on Saturday, Oct. 12. The game is a part of the college’s homecoming weekend at 12 p.m.
