BRIDGEWATER, Va. — The Catholic University women's soccer team dropped its first match of the 2023 campaign on Wednesday afternoon, falling 5-3 to Bridgewater (Va.).
Despite Catholic scoring two goals in the opening four minutes of the match and holding leads of 2-0 and 3-1, the Cardinals eventually succumbed after the Eagles who scored three goals in the second half to take the victory.
The Cardinals got out to the perfect start as Peyton Coron continued her blistering beginning to the season in just the third minute. The sophomore was alert to a failed clearance that clattered off of Jordan Siok and found its way right to her on the penalty spot, and she made no mistake. The forward leads the Cardinals with four goals in three matches.
Catholic doubled its advantage just 91 seconds later when Sara Placide finished brilliantly from the top of the penalty area. It was brilliant work again from Coron who, working off the right flank, beat a defender and delivered a low cross into the area. After Siok had it poked away, it fell straight to Placide who powered her strike just inside the far post.
Bridgewater was able to halve the deficit in the 14th minute when Laura Narby struck from distance but just four minutes later Catholic restored its two-goal advantage. This time it was Siok who was the beneficiary of a brilliant low ball across the face of goal by Katarina Bauer. The senior stretched to get on the end of the service and finish with her right foot.
The Eagles got one back prior to halftime from the penalty spot. After Madeline Bohan was fouled in the area, Alicia Keo stepped up and finished to Maeve Graham's right.
Bridgewater turned the game on its head in the second half as Laura Narby scored her second and Lyric Birkley netted a brace of her own.
Narby equalized in the 60th minute, finishing smartly with her head following a long throw. Graham came to try to claim the initial ball but could not, and after a flick, Narby nodded home to knot the match at 3-3.
Drama ensued in the 78th minute when Bridgewater earned its second penalty kick of the match. The Eagle long throw proved problematic for the Cardinals again as a handball inside the area gave Keo a chance to score from the spot for a second time.
It was substitute goalkeeper Madelyn Catania, making her collegiate debut, who saved stunningly down to her right to keep Catholic level. However, disappointment followed as the Cardinals conceded from the corner kick that directly followed the save. Redemption went to Keo who delivered the corner directly to Birkley's head.
Birkley then put the game out of reach five minutes later when she again nodded home from a set piece.
The Cardinals will look to right the ship on Saturday when they travel to Muhlenberg. Kickoff in Allentown, Pa., is set for 4 p.m.
