ASHLAND, Va. –
Cali Kujawa (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan) scored the go-ahead goal against the Eagles, propelling the Yellow Jackets to an ODAC Tournament Semifinals berth against the Lynchburg Hornets.
Score: Randolph-Macon 1, Bridgewater, 0
Venue: Nunnally Field at Randolph-Macon College
Records: Randolph-Macon (12-6, 6-3 ODAC), Bridgewater (8-10, 4-5 ODAC)
How it Happened
- For the first five minutes of the quarter Randolph-Macon had the momentum, as they kept the ball in the offensive zone. At the six-minute mark, Kylee Gorham (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) registered the first shot of the game but it was blocked by an Eagle defender. After Bridgewater defended, it came down the field and earned the first penalty corner opportunity of the game but Randolph-Macon was able to hold BC without a shot. Then, with 50 seconds remaining in the quarter, Kujawa scored after Gorham put a shot on goal, creating a 1-0 lead for the Yellow Jackets. RMC held the Eagles without a shot in the first quarter, carrying a 1-0 lead heading into the second.
- Gorham started the second frame with a quick shot, followed by a penalty corner within the first three minutes. After RMC was unable to get a shot off, they fell back on defense where Valentina Ambrogi-Torres (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal School) was forced to make her first stop of the game with five minutes remaining in the half. Despite getting one more penalty corner chance late in the half, RMC was forced to defend multiple penalty corners in the closing minute, as Ambrogi-Torres saved a shot in the final moments of the half.
- Bridgewater came out of halftime with some pressure, tallying a shot after a penalty corner four minutes into play. After a successful defensive possession, the Yellow Jackets stole the momentum, as Kujawa, Breea Dresler (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) and Neely Winefordner (Glen Allen, Va./Trinity Episcopal School) all posted shots after two penalty corners. Dresler was able to get one more shot off after another penalty corner for the Lemon and Black with a minute left in the third but the score remained 1-0 after three frames.
- Randolph-Macon earned two penalty corners in the first two minutes of the fourth but were unable to extend its lead. While Bridgewater was able to control the pace of play for a chunk of time, neither team was able to record a shot until there were four minutes left in the contest. Even though RMC was able to tally one more penalty corner and Winefordner was able to fire another shot, RMC's defense down the stretch allowed no shots from the Eagles, in the quarter, ending the game with a 1-0 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Randolph-Macon led the game in shots (nine-to-four) and penalty corners (nine-to-four). RMC held BC without a shot in the first and fourth quarters.
- Kujawa has now scored a goal in back-to-back contests. This is her second time accomplishing the feat, with the first time being in the 2023 season.
- Gorham posted a game-high three shots. She has now recorded three-or more shots in each of her last two games and seven total shots over her past two games.
- After recording two shots on goal, Dresler now has two-or-more shots in goal in eight of her last 11 games.
For the Record
- RMC has now shut out its opponents in three consecutive games. The last time the Yellow Jackets accomplished the feat was in 2021.
- Thursday will be the Lemon and Black's first ODAC Semifinals appearance since the 2013 season.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets head to Lynchburg, Virginia, to take on the Hornets in the Semifinal Round of the ODAC Tournament on Thursday, November 6 at 3:30 p.m.
