Women’s soccer: Bridgewater kicks past Methodist, 5-1

The Bridgewater College women’s soccer team ran its record to 5-1 with a 3-0 victory Wednesday afternoon over Methodist University at the BC Soccer Field.

The Eagles, ranked No. 9 in the South Atlantic region poll, took an early lead with a goal in the 11^th minute.Sarah Brennan pushed the ball ahead to Keri Rager and the Eagles’ junior worked past her defender along the left end line. Rager centered a pass into the box and Sydney Ryan hit a shot from straight ahead past the Methodist keeper to put the Eagles on the scoreboard.

Two minutes later the Eagles missed an opportunity to extend the lead when Methodist misplayed a ball near the top of the box and Ryan gained possession. Ryan worked behind the keeper, who came out to the top on the box on the play, but missed the open goal wide to the right, leaving the Eagles with the 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the half settled into a defensive tussle as the Eagles went to the break with the 1-0 lead.

Methodist, picked as the preseason co-favorite in the USA South Conference, opened the second half with strong pressure at its offensive end, but the Eagles defense was up to the task.

Bridgewater finally organized its attack and a nice through ball resulted in a 1-on-1 chance for Emily Brummett. The Eagles’ sophomore hit her shot to the near post, but a nice diving save by Methodist keeper Meghan O’Meara stopped the attempt and resulted in a Bridgewater corner kick. Brummett put the corner kick into the box where the ball hit the ground and bounced to Katherine Wight. Wight headed the ball down and across the box to Bailey Kratz for the goal and a 2-0 Bridgewater lead with just under 39 minutes left in the contest.

The Eagles scored their final goal in the 82^nd minute when a long throw in put Rager 1-on-1 with her defender along the right sideline. Rager beat the defender to the ball and worked along the right end line. Rager slipped a pass toward the near post where freshman Bridget Fabiani touched the ball past the keeper for the goal and a 3-0 Bridgewater lead.

The statistics were relatively even with the Monarchs holding a 15-14 edge in shots and a 5-3 margin in corner kicks.

Bridgewater keeper Hayley Talbott recorded six saves to pick up her second shutout of the season. The shutout was the fourth of the season for the Bridgewater defense. O’Meara finished the contest with four saves for the Monarchs.

The Eagles return to action Saturday afternoon when they host St. Mary’s College of Maryland.