Women’s soccer: Bridgewater moves to 3-0

The Bridgewater College women’s soccer team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 4-2 victory Tuesday afternoon over Southern Virginia University at the BC Soccer Field.

The Eagles bounced back from an early 1-0 deficit to lead 3-1 at the break.

The visiting Knights stunned Bridgewater early with a goal in the seventh minute. Keirra Tanuvasa passed the ball across the top of the box to Taylor Martin and Martin took her shot from just inside the box on the left side. The shot beat Bridgewater keeper Hayler Talbott to the far post, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.

Bridgewater evened the score 10 minutes later when Isabella Krider connected with Bailey Kratz on a through ball. Kratz held off her defender and was first to the ball. The Eagles sophomore then beat the goalkeeper with a shot to the far post to even the score at 1-1.

The Eagles grabbed the lead with exactly 23 minutes left on the first half clock. The Eagles took advantage of a corner kick opportunity, sending the kick to the back post. An initial header by Isabella Weigel was stopped and a Southern Virginia defender tried to clear the ball out of the box. The ball went directly to Krider and she scored from straight away for a 2-1 Bridgewater lead.

Two minutes later, Bridgewater padded its lead. Kratz showed some nifty dribbling skills, beating two defenders as she approached the box. Kratz touched a pass into the box to Weigel and the Bridgewater freshman hit a perfect shot just inside the near post with her left foot to put the Eagles on top 3-1.

The Knights made it a one goal game early in the second half when Tanuvasa converted a penalty kick in the 53^rd minute, making the score 3-2.

The Eagles took advantage of a Knights’ turnover in Southern Virginia’s defensive end to pick up a key insurance goal in the 78^th minute. Bridgewater sophomore Emily Brummett took possession of a loose ball and buried a shot to the upper 90 from 25 yards out to give the Eagles a 4-2 lead.

Bridgewater controlled play, holding a huge 27-5 edge in shots and a 9-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Talbott finished with one save in goal for the Eagles while Knights’ keeper Rachel Miller recorded 12 saves.

The Eagles return to action this weekend when they play in the Washington and Lee Classic. Bridgewater plays Birmingham-Southern College on Saturday and nationally-ranked Centre College on Sunday.