BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Virginia Wesleyan made a goal midway through the first half stand up the rest of the way as the Marlins defeated Bridgewater College, 1-0, Thursday in ODAC men's soccer action.

The Eagles are now 7-8-1 overall and 4-6 in the ODAC. Bridgewater will close out its regular season on Saturday at Randolph-Macon. A win would give the Eagles the No. 6 seed for the upcoming conference tournament while a loss would leave BC in the No. 7 or No. 8 slot, depending on the outcome of the Eastern Mennonite vs. Hampden-Sydney contest.

Defense was the name of the game Thursday afternoon as both teams did a solid job of limiting offensive opportunities.

That changed in the 25th minute when the Marlins scored the game's only goal. Virginia Wesleyan served the ball into the box and it was headed off the baseline by an Eagles defender. The ball, however, went directly to Marlins' player Tanner Martin. Martin lined up a shot from 15 yards straightaway and put it into the upper left corner of the goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 laad.

Bridgewater put good pressure on the Marlins during much of the second half, but the Wesleyan defense kept the Eagles from getting good looks from inside the box.

The Eagles best opportunity came late in the 87th minute when Matthew Pagano lofted a ball ahead to Ben Lewis. Marlins keeper Connor Kirkham came off his line, but Lewis beat him to the ball. The shot from the Eagles senior sailed over the crossbar, leaving the Eagles down a goal.

The Marlins owned a 13-7 advantage in shots while the corners were even at four apiece.

Bridgewater keeper Mark Davis finished with one save while Kirkham recorded three saves for the Marlins.