HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA - Chris Whiteside's (Virginia Beach, VA/Frank W. Cox) two goals in the first 15 minutes of the contest set the tone for the game and his play was a major reason in the 5-1 victory over Bridgewater College on Wednesday afternoon for Senior Day. John Robert Plyler (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park), Sam Turner (Richmond, VA/Benedictine), Matt Hampton (Virginia Beach, VA/Floyd E. Kellam), and Andrew Berg (Aberdeen Scotland/International School of Aberdeen) were honored after the game for their contributions to the soccer program. Pictures from the event can be found at the end of the story.

Whiteside tallied his first goal in the seventh minute when Bo Burns (Raleigh, NC/Leesville Road) sent a cross into the box from the end line that Bryan Wharton (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) flicked to Whiteside for the goal. Whiteside scored again in the 15th minute as a Nick DeProspero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) cross to the back post resulted in a diving header goal. H-SC would go into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Bridgewater then made things interesting in the 51st minute as Alec Utter and Michael Moore hooked up on the double assist to an open Ryan Morgan. The tide changed shortly after Hampden-Sydney President Dr. Christopher B. Howard showed up on the sidelines to cheer on the Tigers.

A flurry of action after the 70th minute led to three H-SC goals. Wharton got his 10th goal of the season at the 70:14 mark when Bridgewater keeper Travis Morris let the ball slip out of his hands as Wharton tapped in the open net goal. Another goalkeeper miscue occurred when Morris misplayed the ball, allowing former high school teammates Burns and Ryan Fleming (Raleigh, NC/Leesville Road) to connect on a score with Burns getting the goal. Berg posted his second goal in as many games as a Burns cross slipped out of the goalie's hands, giving Berg an open net goal. Despite injury, Turner also made his return to the field for a brief stint near the end of the game as he checked in to the game as a forward.

Burns totaled four points on one goal and two assists, Whiteside had four points (2g), and Wharton had three (1g, 1a). Each team managed 18 shots, but H-SC held an 11-8 advantage in shots on goal. The goalkeeping tandem of Plyer and Duncan Oliphant (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis) combined for seven saves while Morris recorded six. Bridgewater also held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.

The Tigers look to continue moving up the ODAC standings this Saturday when they travel to Emory & Henry College for a 7 p.m. contest.