(September 30, 2009)BRIDGEWATER, VA – The Hampden-Sydney soccer team continued their winning ways today with a convincing 4-0 win at Bridgewater College. The Tigers were the aggressors from the opening whistle, attacking the Eagles' back line early and often. Their tenacity paid off in the eighth minute when sophomore Bryan Wharton (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) got the Tigers on the board. On the play, freshman Nick DeProspero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) squeezed a pass between two defenders right to Wharton at the top corner of the box. Wharton then ripped a laser that beat the diving keeper.

The Tigers were just getting started, however, and struck again in the 30th minute. This time, junior Matt Hampton (Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam) played a great ball from the left side into the box where senior Brett Chonko (Farmville, VA/Prince Edward) rose above the defense and headed it home. Hampden-Sydney was able to find the net once more before halftime, when Wharton scored his second goal of the game in the 39th minute. On the play, freshman Brandon Haynes (Raleigh, NC/Broughton) received ball in the left side of the box from junior Andrew Berg (Aberdeen, Scotland/Int'l School of Aberdeen) and drew the keeper out of the net before centering it to Wharton, who hammered it home.

The visiting squad came out of halftime the same way they left off in the first half, pressuring Bridgewater all over the field. It didn't take long to again capitalize on opportunities. In the 51st minute, DeProspero carried the ball up the right side of the midfield before playing a long ball to sophomore Bryan Hughes (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) on the left side of the box. Hughes then slid a pass that was deflected by the keeper to junior Matt Swaney (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls), who calmly buried the goal.

The Tiger defense was stellar again, pitching their fourth consecutive shutout. Led today by senior Christopher Tait (Nokesville, VA/Brentsville) and freshman Curran Blackwell (Wilson, NC/Greenfield), the back line squashed all opportunities for the Bridgewater attack. With the win, the Tigers improve to 8-2-0 overall and 3-1-0 in the ODAC.

Hampden-Sydney will return to action on Saturday, October 3rd as they host Mary Washington for family weekend. Game time is set for 3 pm at Miller Field.