ASHLAND, Va. – The Yellow Jackets posted two scores in the final frame to earn their fourth consecutive shutout and second consecutive ODAC Semifinals berth.
Score: (3) Randolph-Macon 2, (6) Bridgewater 0
Venue: Nunnally Field at Randolph-Macon College
Records: (3) Randolph-Macon (12-6, 6-2 ODAC); (6) Bridgewater (9-10, 3-5 ODAC)
How it Happened
- Despite the Eagles posting the first shot on goal 34 seconds in, Randolph-Macon was the first team to set up in the offensive zone. With the pressure, RMC registered three total shots, including a shot on goal from Kylee Gorham (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) halfway through the frame. While Caitlin Porter (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) and Annie Pruitt (Westminster, Md./Winters Mill) could not convert on their shots, the Yellow Jackets earned a penalty corner with five minutes left in the quarter. The Eagles defense held firm, preventing the home team from getting a shot. In the final three minutes Olivia Greene (Amissville, Va./Culpeper County) reloaded and picked up the ball in the crease and had her shot blocked, before Breea Dresler (Yorktown, Va./Tabb) sent a shot just wide. The same pairing followed with another shot on goal each but the Eagles held the 0-0 tie into the second.
- BC had a quick fast break on the first possession of the second quarter but RMC diffused it before the Eagles could post a shot. The Lemon and Black came down the field and used a shot on goal from Greene to earn the game's second penalty corner. Dresler and Neely Winefordner (Glen Allen, Va./Trinity Episcopal School) both tested Rachel Adel but the visiting keeper held firm. With 6:39 to play in the half, the Yellow Jackets earned their third penalty corner try and commotion in the crease nearly pushed the ball in. Randolph-Macon quickly found itself with another pair of corners, resulting in two attempts at the cage from Gorham and Dresler. Gorham tallied her game-high fourth shot of the half which was on target but the count remained deadlocked at the break.
- 2:32 into the third, the Lemon and Black brought the ball in deep to earn a penalty corner but could not tally a shot. Over the next portion of the period, Bridgewater seemed to find its groove, as the visitors slowed the game down and sent a shot wide of Valentina Ambrogi-Torres (Richmond, Va./Trinity Episcopal School). RMC responded fast with yet another penalty corner chance but the ball was turned over before a shot went off. The score remained 0-0 after three frames of play, with the Yellow Jackets controlling the pace heading into the fourth.
- While the Yellow Jackets worked for two corners at the start of the fourth, the Eagles were able to control some time of possession despite not getting a shot. Once the Yellow Jackets defended successfully, Randolph-Macon finally got the bubble to pop. RMC sent the ball in deep and Greene buried the first goal of the game, putting her team ahead 1-0 with 7:12 to play. Three minutes later, Dresler picked up a deflection and slotted the second goal of the game, ballooning the lead to 2-0 late in the frame. The pace picked up for the final four minutes of play, sending the Yellow Jackets to their second consecutive ODAC Semifinal.
Inside the Numbers
- The Yellow Jackets led the Eagles 19-to-three in total shots, including 13-to-two in shots on goal. Randolph-Macon held a 15-to-one lead in shots during the first half alone.
- RMC racked up nine penalty corner tries in the contest, compared to zero from BC.
- The programs knotted for 39 fouls apiece
- Dresler tied for a game-high four shots on goal, while registering her fourth goal of the season.
- Greene joined Dresler with four attempts toward the cage and also buried her seventh goal of 2026. The junior has now scored in each of her last two home contests.
- Gorham led all players with six total shots, while tying Dresler and Greene in the shots on goal category.
- Ambrogi-Torres added two saves to her abundance of deflections in the 60 minutes.
For the Record
- Randolph-Macon has now won five consecutive games against Bridgewater, including the postseason.
Up Next
Field Hockey will travel to Lexington, Va., to take on second-seeded #19 Washington and Lee. The contest will take place on Thursday, November 5, with the time to be announced.
