BRIDGEWATER, Va. (BC Athletics) — The Bridgewater College field hockey team fell to No. 22 Shenandoah, 1-0, in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Wednesday evening at the Jopson Athletic Complex.

Final Score: No. 22 Shenandoah 1, Bridgewater 0
Records: Bridgewater 8-7 (2-3 ODAC), No. 22 Shenandoah 12-2 (5-1 ODAC)

How It Happened
• Both teams battled through a scoreless first quarter. Bridgewater goalkeeper Rachel Adel made a pair of early saves on Kierney Weigle and Ellie Quinn to keep Shenandoah off the board. The Eagles earned back-to-back penalty corners in the ninth minute, with Natalie Stock putting a shot on target before Mollie Best’s attempt was blocked. Adel and the Bridgewater defense held firm through the remainder of the quarter to keep the game scoreless.
• Shenandoah continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, earning several penalty corners. Bridgewater created opportunities of its own, earning a pair of penalty corners in the 22nd minute. Cassidy Alexander made saves on attempts by Best and Kiley Parker. The final shot of the altercation came from Maylynn Watson and beat everyone but Natalie Opatovsky, who cleared it off the goal line for the Hornets. Both defenses remained strong, and the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
• The third quarter saw Shenandoah generate a series of chances, including multiple penalty corners. Thaleia Khader made several key saves after entering at halftime, stopping shots from Reagan Flory, Ellie Quinn, Ella Robbins and Weigle. M. Best also contributed a defensive save on a shot by Camryn DeLeva as Bridgewater continued to keep the Hornets off the scoreboard. The contest remained scoreless heading into the final 15 minutes.
• Shenandoah broke through in the fourth quarter. After Khader made a save on Quinn, Weigle scored an unassisted goal with under 10 minutes to play to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Shenandoah continued to pressure the Eagles’ defense with additional penalty corners, but Khader made late saves on Flory and Robbins to keep Bridgewater within one. Despite multiple rushes, the Eagles were unable to find an equalizer as Shenandoah held on for the road victory.

Game Notes
• Parker, Stock, M. Best and Watson registered BC’s shots on frame. Khader made eight saves in the second half, while Adel recorded three saves in the first half and M. Best recorded a defensive save.
• Weigle scored the game’s lone goal, while Alexander recorded three saves for the shutout. Opatovsky added a defensive save for Shenandoah.
• Shenandoah held a 16-4 advantage in penalty corners and an 18-6 edge in shots. BC held a 5-4 advantage in shots at the break, before SU outshot the Eagles 14-1 in the second half.

Up Next
The Eagles continue their three-game homestand as Roanoke visits on Homecoming, Friday at 7 p.m.. We will also induct the newest Team of Distinction into the Bridgewater Athletic Hall of Fame during halftime.

— BC Athletics —