BRIDGEWATER, VA (October 29, 2005)—In a rematch from four days ago, the NSCAA's # 8 ranked South Region Hampden-Sydney Tigers battled the Bridgewater Eagles in a first round ODAC playoff match that went the distance and then some. The game tied 2-2 at the end of regulation play was forced into single and double overtimes where neither team was able to put it away with a winning goal. Both teams were staged to determine the winner based upon a shootout format, where each side takes five alternating penalty kick shots. It was in this format that Bridgewater edged Hampden-Sydney by converting on all five shots as the Tigers made only four.

Bridgewater was the first to strike in the game as sophomore Ben Ostrander scored on an assist from junior John Costello at the 11:41 mark. Hampden-Sydney responded in the 27th minute of play as junior captain Greg Smith (Warrenton, VA/Fauquier) found the net on a header goal that was served by freshman Michael Krewinghaus (Yorktown, VA/Tabb). The goal tied the game at 1-1.

Just 3:30 into the second half of play the Eagles scored on a goal by freshman Chris Thomas giving Bridgewater the lead 2-1. Once again, the Tigers were forced to play from behind. Hampden-Sydney rallied and tied the game at 74:59 when Krewinghaus gathered the ball at midfield and advanced toward the Eagle's goal where he made a crisp diagonal pass to senior Bobby Hillmann (Raleigh, NC/Leesville Road). Hillmann made a move to free himself from the Eagle's defense and then another stutter step juke that baited Bridgewater's goalkeeper Mitch Hammersley to come out to the top of the box. The result was a scoring blast that flew past a diving Hammersley and tied the game at 2-2.

The two 10 minute overtime periods were played intensely on both sides but ultimately lead to the shoot out format where the Tigers fell just short of advancing to play the winner of Virginia Wesleyan and Lynchburg College. Hampden-Sydney finishes their season at 10-7-2, winning as many games in 2005 as 2003 and 2004 combined.

An emotionally drained Tiger Head Coach, Josh Laux, spoke highly of his team and this year's overall performance. "This year's team has a great bunch of young players but it has been our senior class that has carried us. They have really turned our program around. It's always a shame when the winner has to be determined by penalty kicks."