BRIDGEWATER, Va. (BC Athletics) – Laney Fayard scored twice on headers as the Bridgewater College women’s soccer team unleashed a five-goal second half to defeat Eastern Mennonite 6-0 Wednesday afternoon at the Bridgewater Soccer Complex.
Five Eagles scored in an offensive performance that featured 30 shots and 11 corner kicks. Bridgewater also held the Royals without a shot on goal to secure its seventh consecutive shutout.
The Basics
Score: Bridgewater 6, Eastern Mennonite 0
Records: Bridgewater 10-1-2 (5-0-2); Eastern Mennonite 4-8-2 (2-4-0)
How It Happened
• Bridgewater established its attacking presence early, earning two corners in the opening five minutes as Fayard and Olivia Marcello forced saves from EMU goalkeeper Gabi Dewey. The Eagles continued generating chances through Sophia Phillips, Kylie Denton and Sabrina Castellanos, but Dewey kept the match scoreless through the opening 40 minutes.
• The Royals had an opportunity to take the lead in the 35th minute, but Hailey Walker missed a penalty kick. Bridgewater broke through in the 41st minute when CJ Sipling connected with Fayard, who headed home the opening goal following an Eagles corner. BC entered halftime ahead 1-0 with a 12-1 advantage in shots and all seven corners.
• The Eagles quickly turned their narrow lead into a comfortable advantage after the break. Katherine King converted a penalty kick in the 50th minute, and Lily Hewatt followed with an unassisted goal just 1:32 later. The two quick strikes pushed Bridgewater’s lead to 3-0 and opened the scoring surge.
• Fayard added her second header in the 62nd minute, finishing off an assist from Brianna Curro following another corner to make it 4-0. Hewatt and Curro forced additional saves shortly afterward as the Eagles maintained their pressure.
• Sipling supplied her second assist in the 71st minute, setting up Marcello to extend the lead to 5-0. Taylor Stiegler replaced Erinn Lockard in goal moments later, while Bridgewater’s attacking depth continued creating opportunities.
• Elle Turner capped the scoring in the 79th minute, converting the Eagles’ second penalty kick of the afternoon. Castellanos and Sipling added shots on target down the stretch as BC finished with 18 second-half attempts and completed the shutout.
Match Notes
• Fayard led Bridgewater with two header goals, giving her consecutive two-goal performances. Sipling recorded two assists, while Curro added one. King, Hewatt, Marcello and Turner each scored once.
• Dewey made nine saves for Eastern Mennonite. Walker led the Royals with two shots, but EMU finished without an attempt on target.
• Bridgewater held a 30-4 advantage in shots, a 15-0 margin in shots on goal and an 11-1 edge in corner kicks. Lockard and Stiegler combined for the Eagles’ seventh consecutive shutout as BC remained unbeaten in conference play.
What’s Next?
The Eagles are back at home Saturday, Oct. 17 for Senior Day.
— BC Athletics —
