Bridgewater, Wesley play to 1-1 tie in men’s soccer action

Bridgewater College and Wesley College battled to a tough 1-1 draw in double-overtime on a hot Sunday afternoon at the BC Soccer Field.

The visitors wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard. The Wolverines took the first possession and immediately attacked the Eagles’ defense. Danny Garza gathered up a loose ball just outside the box and his shot whistled past Bridgewater keeper Mark Davis and went just under the crossbar, putting Wesley on the board just 30 seconds into the game.

The Eagles settled down after that initial goal and kept the Wolverines’ offense in check the rest of the half. Wesley added seven shots in the first half, but most were from well beyond the box and only one shot was on goal.

Wesley maintained the 1-0 lead until the 61^st minute. Bridgewater mounted an attack and freshman Pepe Gonzalez served a nice pass into the box to Connor Henderson. Henderson passed to freshman Thomas Whiteand he chipped his shot past the Wesley keeper for the tying goal.

Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the Eagles had two good chances early in the first overtime.

In the third minute of the first OT, Eagles freshman Erich Wilklow worked behind the Wesley defense but his shot from just inside the box was stopped by Wesley keeper Kyle Springsteen.

A minute later, the Eagles attacked again as White touched a pass into the box to Max Chacon, but Wesley defender Robert Coakley made a sliding save as he punched the ball away from Chacon to turn away the threat.

For the game, Wesley held a 15-10 edge in total shots while the Eagles had a huge 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Bridgewater keeper Davis finished the contest with four saves while Wesley’s Springsteen finished with three saves.

The Eagles are back in action next weekend when they travel to St. Mary’s City, Md., for two games at the Seahawks Invitational. Bridgewater will play Salisbury on Saturday and the hosting St. Mary’s team on Sunday.