VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (BC Athletics) – Trey Widrick delivered the decisive strike with just 20 seconds remaining, lifting the Bridgewater College men’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Batten Wednesday evening.
Score: Bridgewater 1, Batten 0
Records: Bridgewater 8-3-1 (3-0-1); Batten 1-5-5 (0-2-1)
How It Happened
• Bridgewater began searching for an early advantage, earning a corner kick in the second minute before Riley Queen tested Batten goalkeeper Gabe Ames in the ninth. Luis Ibanez sent an attempt wide two minutes later, then forced another save in the 22nd minute. Back-to-back corners followed, but the Eagles remained without a breakthrough.
• Batten answered with opportunities of its own as the first half progressed. Zane Kowalski stopped JaMarhe Wills in the 28th minute and denied Cayden Tappan in the 36th. Both teams finished the opening half with four shots as the match headed into the break scoreless.
• The Eagles increased the pressure after halftime, earning two corners in the opening two minutes. Ibanez and Widrick recorded attempts just 10 seconds apart in the 57th minute, with Widrick sending his shot over the goal. Another Widrick attempt followed in the 59th before Kowalski turned away Cowen Napior in the 60th to preserve the tie.
• Bridgewater came inches from taking the lead in the 64th minute. Following another pair of corner kicks, Ibanez struck the crossbar, keeping the Eagles searching for the finish that had eluded them. BC’s defense held firm at the other end, keeping the Marlins from recording another shot after the 69th minute.
• With the match still scoreless entering the final minutes, the Eagles continued pursuing a winner. Kevin Polanco sent an attempt over the goal with 1:13 remaining, and an offside call against Batten with 43 seconds left gave Bridgewater another opportunity to push forward.
• After nearly 90 minutes of missed chances and near breakthroughs, Bridgewater finally found its moment. The senior pair of Queen and Anthony Medrano connected with fellow senior Widrick, who buried the game-winner at 89:40 to put the Eagles ahead with only 20 seconds on the clock. BC protected the lead through the final whistle, turning a scoreless battle into a dramatic road victory. The Eagles will enjoy a victorious four-hour bus ride home to the Valley.
Match Notes
• Widrick scored his fifth goal of the season after recently recovering from injury, with Queen and Medrano providing the assist. Ibanez led the Eagles with five shots, while Kowalski recorded three saves in the shutout.
• Wills led Batten with three shots. Ames made two saves in the first half before Brady Miller took over in goal for the final 45 minutes.
• Bridgewater finished with an 11-8 advantage in shots, including a 7-4 edge in the second half, and a 7-3 margin in corner kicks. The Eagles remained unbeaten in conference play.
What’s Next?
The Eagles return home to face the Wildcats of Randolph on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
— BC Athletics —
