BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Lily Hewatt scored in the second half, but the Bridgewater College women's soccer team fell short in its comeback bid against Lynchburg, dropping a 2-1 decision on Homecoming Saturday at the Bridgewater Soccer Complex.
The Basics
Score: Lynchburg 2, Bridgewater 1
Records: Bridgewater 11-3-2 (6-1-2); Lynchburg 14-2-1 (8-1-0)
How It Happened
-
Lynchburg struck early when Leigha Gronau scored off assists from Ally Hopkins and Makayla Hargrove in the fourth minute. Bridgewater quickly responded with attacking opportunities, earning four corners in the opening 15 minutes. Cassandra Villafan forced a save from Julia Salo in the sixth minute, and Katherine King tested the goalkeeper in the eighth as the Eagles searched for an equalizer.
-
Erinn Lockard kept Bridgewater within one through a stretch of sustained Lynchburg pressure. She denied Hopkins in the 17th minute and Gronau in the 21st, while a Bridgewater team save turned away another Hopkins attempt in the 19th. Lockard added another stop against Hopkins in the 29th minute.
-
Laura Narby put an attempt on target in the 32nd minute, but Salo made the save. Lynchburg doubled its lead shortly afterward when Hargrove finished off an assist from Kate Hillegas in the 33rd. The Eagles entered halftime trailing 2-0, with the Hornets holding a 10-5 advantage in shots.
-
Bridgewater weathered more pressure after the break, including a Gronau attempt that struck the crossbar in the 60th minute. The Eagles began working their way back into the contest with a Narby shot and corner in the 64th before Sophia Phillips connected with Hewatt in the 67th. Hewatt's finish cut the deficit to 2-1 with 23:44 remaining.
-
Lockard protected the one-goal margin with two saves against Hillegas over the next five minutes. Bridgewater then threatened to draw level in the 73rd, earning a corner after another Narby attempt. Phillips put the ensuing chance on frame, but a Lynchburg team save denied the equalizer.
-
The Eagles continued searching for a tying goal while defending a series of Hornets corners. Hewatt sent an attempt over the goal in the 84th minute, and Bridgewater held Lynchburg scoreless throughout the second half, but the comeback fell one goal short.
Match Notes
-
Hewatt scored her seventh goal of the season, with Phillips providing the assist. Narby led Bridgewater with three shots, while Lockard finished with five saves. The Eagles also recorded a team save.
-
Hargrove recorded a goal and an assist for Lynchburg, while Gronau added a goal and Hopkins and Hillegas each registered an assist. Hopkins led the Hornets with seven shots, and Salo made three saves.
-
Bridgewater recorded 10 shots, including five on goal, and six corner kicks. Lynchburg finished with 21 shots, eight on target and 10 corners. The result marked the Eagles' first conference loss of the season.
What's Next?
The Eagles will close the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 28 at No. 2 Washington and Lee.
