DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University men's soccer team dropped a non-conference game 4-2 at Bridgewater College on Tuesday afternoon. Freshman Asher Francis collected his first collegiate goal in the effort.

Averett (2-5-2) struggled to create any offensive rhythm throughout the majority of the first half. Bridgewater (3-6) controlled the pace of the opening frame and it showed as the Eagles put the ball in the back of the net twice in the first half. In the 26th minute of play, Julian Ofori picked up a rebound inside the box and slid the ball to his left foot before striking it inside the near post to give his team the 1-0 lead. Bridgewater doubled their lead just three minutes later when the Eagles offensive pressure forced an error from Averett in the form of an own goal.

Nearing the end of the half, it looked like the Eagles would keep the clean sheet intact, but Francis had other things in mind. The George Town, Cayman Islands native settled a loose ball, in the 44th minute, from about 35 yards out and then with his right foot lofted it over the keepers head to cut the Bridgewater lead to 2-1 where it would stand at halftime.

The Eagles came out of the halftime break hungry to extend their lead back to two. In the 55th minute, Julian Ofori got on the end of a bouncing through ball, but had his shot saved by Olavesen. Unfortunately for Averett, the ball ricocheted right to Jacob Heiston who one timed his shot into the side netting on the far post.

The Cougars would not be fazed and got right back on the attack with Averett receiving a free kick in the 65th minute of play. Freshman Nademe Tokhli took the set piece and floated a ball to the far post that the Bridgewater keeper pushed to an unmarked senior Tobias Andreasson. The forward blasted his strike into the back of the net to cut the Eagle lead back to one.

This deficit would be short lived as the Eagles extended their lead in the 68th minute. Thomas White gathered a loose ball at midfield and raced down the near sideline beating the Cougar defense. Once he neared the penalty box he chipped his chance over Olavesen for the 4-2 lead.

Each side would trade chances back and forth for the duration of the match, but to no avail as Bridgewater defeated Averett, 4-2.

The Cougars return to conference action when they travel to Cary, North Carolina, on Sunday, Oct. 1, to go up against William Peace University. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.