WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Bridgewater College field hockey team scored twice in a span of under two minutes, carrying the Eagles past Catholic, 2-1, and into the NCAA Sweet 16. Taylor Prillaman and Madison Clement (pictured) scored the goals, with the latter's tally proving the deciding factor in defeating the 17th-ranked Cardinals.
Bridgewater had won its previous two playoff games on penalty corners and struck again on a crucial corner in the 57th minute. Prillaman took a pass from Caroline Fletcher and blasted it through the CUA defense to get the Eagles on the board.
The Eagles came right back down the field. Freshman Tessa Tierson's cross was tipped in at the front post by a charging Clement, forcing a shell-shocked Catholic team to call timeout.
The nationally-ranked hosts did rally, with Keira McGovern setting up a tense finish by scoring with 4:30 left on the clock.
The Cardinals had three straight corners at the end of the contest, including a final chance with time expired and the entire Catholic team on the circle. A shot went wide and over the endline, clinching Bridgewater's first-ever appearance in the Sweet 16.
The first half saw Bridgewater hold an 8-4 advantage in penalty corners, but manage just one shot on goal to Catholic's six.
That chance was a good one, as a pass from the left corner skipped through several defenders to Clement with a minute remaining in the half. Clement turned her defender but CUA goalie Analisa Scott was just able to get a toe to the shot and keep the contest scoreless.
In the early going, Fletcher broke up a Catholic attack and the Eagles tried to go end-to-end, ultimately losing the ball over the endline on a promising counterattack.
Fletcher then was fouled during a shot attempt on the first penalty corner of the game, giving the Eagles another chance. Rachael Loy's shot was tipped just wide.
BC goalie Marisa Sims came up with five saves in a six-minute span midway through the first half, including three straight on Rachel Day.
Fletcher had another chance on a penalty corner with about 12 minutes left in the first half, flashing a shot inches wide of the far post.
Bridgewater, who had 12 total corners in the contest, kept coming close on those situations. Prillaman had a shot saved with 23:29 left, and then Sarah Rozell couldn't quite redirect an Elizabeth Washington pass at the left post a minute later- a play that evoked memories of the corner vs. Washington & Lee that won BC the ODAC championship.
Bridgewater (13-8) moves on to face #6 William Smith on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Herons will be hosting the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Catholic ends its season with a 13-7 mark.
--- This release is courtesy of the Bridgewater College sports information department. ---
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