HARRISONBURG, Va. Tyler
Laurent's second goal of the game in double-overtime gave the
Southern Virginia Men's Soccer team a win over Bridgewater 3-2, and
pushed them to a 3-0 starting record for the first time in program
history. The Knights needed to come from behind, after the Eagles
scored first in the first half. The Knights benefited from an own
goal, and from Bridgewater mistakes, after the hosts had a player
sent off for a straight red card.
The Knights found themselves behind after 17-minutes, when
Bridgewater scored from long range past keeper Ben May. May would
be called on again throughout the game and finished with 4-saves.
The Knights defense was able to keep the hosts in check allowing
only fifteen shots, with six on goal. SVU was able to get off
13-shots, but put eight of those on frame with the three goals.
After the break, SVU was able to get even with the Eagles, as
Laurent scored off a header from a Dax
Farnsworth corner kick. The momentum was shifting to the
visitors, and the Knights pushed it even further. Bridgewater was
unable to handle the pressure, and the situation was made worse as
the red card was issued at the 65-minute mark. The man advantage
for the Knights proved to be what they needed as the team forced an
own goal seven minutes after the red card.
The momentum looked to be in the Knights' corner, but hosts were
not ready to give up, and two minutes after the SVU goal,
Bridgewater equalized. Each team had opportunities for the winning
goal before full time, but the defenses were holding strong, and
extra time beckoned the sides.
The overtimes were a tale of two teams. BC took all of the shots
in the first overtime, and could not find the goal. The second, and
deciding, quarter was all SVU, as the Knights took all of the
shots, culminating in the winning goal from Laurent after a
scramble in the goalmouth to send the Knights to the history making
win.
The Knights will resume the season after the Labor Day weekend
when they travel to play at Emory & Henry. The game has a 6:30
start time.
