BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Bridgewater College field hockey secured a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Virginia Wesleyan on Friday evening, using a disciplined defense and timely offensive execution to earn its second shutout of the season.
The Marlins opened aggressively, generating a pair of early chances that tested goalkeeper Ashley Nau, who made a key save to keep the game scoreless. Bridgewater weathered the early pressure before finding its rhythm late in the first quarter, earning multiple penalty corners and creating sustained possession.
After an evenly matched opening quarter, the Eagles took control in the second quarter. Sophomore Maylynn Watson set up Kylie Amberger with a pass across the circle, and Amberger found the goal to give Bridgewater a 1–0 lead.
The Eagles struck again just before halftime when Jade Buckles connected with Carynn Klingler, who drilled a shot from the edge to extend the advantage to 2–0.
“Virginia Wesleyan is always one of those games where, if we don’t come out with high energy and execute our game plan, it could go either way,” head coach Emily Bagby said.
Bridgewater continued to press offensively through the third quarter, forcing the Marlins’ defense to make several key stops. Goalkeepers Madalyn Miller and Nau split time in the goal, totaling four saves to earn the shutout.
“Our goalkeeping unit has been fantastic,” Bagby said. “Ashley and Maddie held it down back there and made some crucial stops that changed the momentum of the game.”
The Eagles’ defensive organization and offensive movement were the product of a focused week of preparation.
“In practice, we worked a lot on our defensive structure, knowing where to sit, how to shift together, and on stretching the field to create more scoring opportunities,” Bagby said. “Both goals we scored came from that offensive movement we’ve been emphasizing.”
Bagby said senior leadership and team chemistry have also played a major role in Bridgewater’s recent improvement after a slow start to the season.
“Our seniors are really big culture keepers,” Bagby said. “They set the tone for how we display our values and our purpose on the field. The energy has completely shifted since the start of the season.”
Bridgewater outshot Virginia Wesleyan 15–11, including a 10–4 advantage in shots on goal, according to the after match stats. Amberger led all players with six shots, while Klingler and Amberger tallied the Eagles’ two goals.
With the win, Bridgewater improved to 5-6 this season.
“We’re driving our own energy now,” Bagby said. “The girls know what we’re capable of, and we’re focused on keeping that momentum going.”
