FOREST, Va. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College women’s soccer team was selected third in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference’s Preseason Poll released on Wednesday.
Washington and Lee took the top spot with 12 first-place votes (144 points.), while Batten University received the remaining first-place vote and placed second (126pts.). Bridgewater followed in third (119 pts.). Lynchburg (105 pts.) and Shenandoah (103 pts.) rounded out the top five.
Bridgewater enters 2026 looking to build off a historic 2025 campaign that saw the Eagles finish 15-6 overall and 7-3 in ODAC play. BC posted an 8-1 record at home and earned its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2018. The Eagles also reached the ODAC semifinals after defeating Randolph-Macon 5-1 in the conference quarterfinals.
Offensively, Bridgewater returns a trio of key contributors in Laura Narby, Katherine King and Brianna Curro. The Eagles will look to the experienced group to help lead an attack that produced 15 victories during last year’s campaign.
Defensively, Brynn Dempsey and Sienna Smith return to anchor the Eagles’ back line. The pair will provide valuable experience to a Bridgewater defense looking to build on last season’s postseason success. The Eagles also return a pair of goalkeepers to protect the cage in Rylee Asiello and Erinn Lockard.
Head coach Mike Van Horn enters his 19th season at the helm of the Eagles Women’s Soccer program, continuing his tenure as the longest-serving coach in Bridgewater athletics, today. Van Horn will be joined by assistant coaches Tommy Haney and Hap Kwiatkowski.
Bridgewater opens the 2026 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Mary Baldwin in Staunton. The Eagles then travel to Mary Washington on Saturday, Sept. 5, before visiting Catholic on Wednesday, Sept. 9. BC opens its home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 12 against Marymount at 1 p.m.
— BC Athletics —
