Box Score
BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Bridgewater College opened its season Friday afternoon with an impressive 2-0 victory over Salisbury at the Washington and Lee Women's Soccer Classic. The victory is the first in Eagles' program history over the Seagulls.
The first half was played on even terms with each team firing off seven shots. Salisbury put the first shot on goal in the 10th minute and Bridgewater's Keri Rager followed with two shots, but each time Salisbury keeper Michelle Conrad was there for the save.
The Eagles had a strong opportunity in the 23rd minute when Michelle Viegas hit a shot from straight away from the top of the box. Conrad got a hand on the high shot and the ball bounced off the crossbar.
The first half remained scoreless until the Eagles broke the ice in the 35th minute. Kelly Patterson switched the point and her pass found senior Anna Theisen. Conrad stopped Theisen's shot but Eagles' freshman Sarah Brennan was there to clean up the rebound and her shot found the net, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Bridgewater carried the 1-0 lead into the half and the Eagles were not content to simply protect the one-goal advantage. Bridgewater held a 10-2 edge in shots in the second half, controlling play throughout most of the final 45 minutes.
The Eagles added an insurance goal with exactly 15 minutes left on the clock when Logan Hatfield's pass across the box found the foot of Viegas. Viegas beat the Salisbury keeper with a shot to the far post, giving Bridgewater a 2-0 lead.
The Bridgewater defense was stout throughout, keeping the action clean in the box for keeper Krista Kelly. Kelly registered four saves, two in each half, to record the shutout.
The Eagles finished with a 17-9 edge in shots and a 4-2 advantage in corners.
Bridgewater returns to action Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. with a contest against Meredith College at the W&L field. Meredith lost to W&L, 5-1, in Friday's opening game of the Classic.
