BUENA VISTA, VA. — The Southern Virginia University Women's Soccer team took on Bridgewater on the road Thursday night, capturing the program's first win over the Eagles 2-1.
 
"I'm so proud of the team. From the opening kick to the final whistle, they played with poise and purpose," said Head Coach, Rob Dahl. "Bridgewater is a great team and it took a total team effort to come out on top. With goals scored by two freshmen, it was just enough to come out on top. The defense was rock solid throughout the game with our defenders in rotation anchoring our back line. Alyssa Trueman was outstanding in goal, and gave direction and purpose to the team in front of her."
 
Both teams traded shots early on in the game, with Makinna Winterton making her presence known with two early shots for the Knights.
 
Bridgewater grabbed control of the pace of the game the remainder of the second half keeping most of the possessions throughout the half. The Eagles offense picked up towards the end of the half with a corner kick opportunity and five more shots.
 
Southern Virginia's defense stood strong on the back line, denying any scoring opportunity Bridgewater presented.
 
Neither team was able to produce the remainder of the first half with both teams heading into the halftime break knotted at zero.
 
After a slow start to the second half, the Knights' offense sparked in the 53^rd minute of the game with a shot on goal by Makinna Winterton. On the ensuing corner kick, Maybel Harris was able to get off another shot that led to a consecutive corner kick. Lindsey Clausen fired a shot off the corner kick, scoring her first career goal in the 54^th minute to put Southern Virginia up 1-0.
 
In the 70^th minute of the game, Bridgewater's Maren Dougherty picked up a yellow card in the box, setting up a penalty kick by Rachel Bodkin.
 
Bodkin converted on the penalty kick, scoring her first career goal, doubling up the Eagles 2-0.
 
Alyssa Trueman stood her ground in the 79^th minute, recording two back-to-back saves.
 
The Eagles managed to squeeze in a goal in the 84^th minute of the game when Ashley Sabatino connected with Kaia Richardson for the score.
 
Trueman locked in the victory for the Knights, tallying one final save in the 87^th minute to bring home the program's first win over the Eagles.
 
Southern Virginia stays on the road, heading to Winchester, Virginia, to take on Shenandoah University on Saturday, September 3, at 1 pm.
 
For more updates and details on the women's soccer team, be sure to follow @knight_wsoc on Instagram and @knightwsoccer on Twitter.