Mary Washington Wins In Second OT

by Steve Cox

August 31, 2012

BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Mary Washington's Erin Reynolds scored the winning goal in the final minute of the second overtime Friday afternoon to lift the visiting Eagles to a 5-4 victory over the Bridgewater College Eagles in the season-opener for both teams.

Mary Washington took the early lead when Leah Roth scored off the assist from Erin Reynolds in the 20th minute of play.

The early goal seemed to get the attention of the Bridgewater players as they immediately began to pressure the Mary Washington defense.

Bridgewater had an opportunity to tie the score off a corner kick, but Krissy Snyder's shot bounced off the crossbar. The ball stayed in BC's offensive end and another chance went by the wayside when Melanie Waters' open look from 15 yards sailed high.

BC kept the pressure on and two goals in less than two minutes put the home team on top. Bridgewater tied the score in the 26th minute when Jacey Kelley sailed a kick from 30 yards out over the keeper's head to knot the score at 1-1.

Bridgewater took its first lead less than two minutes later. Waters put a strong shot on goal that was saved by Mary Washington keeper Charlotte Owens, but Anna Theisen cleaned up the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net for a 2-1 BC lead.

Mary Washington came out strong following intermission, scoring three times in the first 18 minutes to take a two-goal lead.

Sydney Cook got behind the defense to run down a long pass from Erin Reynolds and beat the keeper one-on-one to tie the score 2-2, in the 57th minute.

Less than a minute later Mary Washington took the lead when Reynolds scored off an assist from Jessica Bednarcik, giving the visitors a 3-2 advantage. Mary Washington scored again in the 63rd minute when Bednarcik scored off an assist from Jenny Mayo for a 4-2 lead.

BC wiped out the two-goal deficit with a pair of goals in the final nine minutes. Marina Del Pizzo put a shot over the keeper's head and into the net from 25 yards out in the 82nd minute to make the score 4-3.

Bridgewater tied the contest in the 86th minute with a two-on-one breakaway. Theisen carried the ball into the offensive zone and placed a perfect pass on Snyder's foot and the BC senior found the back of the net, making the score 4-4.

After a scoreless first overtime, the game appeared destined to end in a tie as it was still tied with less than a minute left in the second OT. The Bridgewater defense misplayed a loose ball and Reynolds was in the right place at the right time to hit the game-winning shot with just 36 seconds left on the clock.

Bridgewater held a slim advantage in both shots (19-17) and corners (4-3).

Bridgewater will look to even its record Sunday afternoon when the Eagles play host to Averett University. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. start.