Bridges 5 BK Naset 0

Hollvikens, Sweden – After a disappointing 1-0 loss against Roskilde, Bridges looked to bounce back against Swedish side BK Naset.  Starting at the first whistle, the Americans looked to take it to the host club creating a chance in only the second minute.  Striker Leslie Osei found himself with his back to the goal and ball at his feet.  Quickly turning, Osei fired for net but saw his strike go just wide.  Not discouraged, both he and Bridges continued to push.  The hard work was rewarded only 8 minutes later as Osei beat his man and struck for goal.  The keeper did well to deflect the ball away, but Hassan Minter was there, beating his man to the ball giving Bridges the 1-0 lead.

This would be the theme of the night as Bridges out-worked, out-hustled, and generally out-classed the hosts.  Bridges would strike again as birthday boy Cory Weaver received a bouncing ball 22 yards out.  The midfielder took aim and hit a perfectly placed ball into the back upper corner, doubling Bridges’ lead in the 26^th minute.

Not looking to be embarrassed, Naset built their own attack following the quick two goal deficit.  Their work culminated in two strikes on frame in the 28^th and 30^th minutes respectively, but goalkeeper Nemanja Kostic was up to the task, saving both balls and maintaining the advantage for Bridges.

In the 37^th minute, Bridges continued to pour on the offense as Drew Jeskey beat his defender and hit an outside of the right foot laser that headed for the upper corner where the goalkeeper had absolutely no chance to make the save.  As the whistle blew, Bridges went into the half with their biggest advantage of the trip, 3-0.

Coming out of the break, BK Naset looked to rebound and create chances of their own, but Bridges would have none of it.  Stellar marking by Danny Lopez and Pat McMahon as well as air control from J.C. Aikenhead and Drew DeGurian allowed the hosts absolutely nothing.

In the 52^nd minute it would be Bridges who would strike again – this time on a corner.  Midfielder Reed Cataldo served a ball into the area and found an unmarked DeGurian.  The central midfielder headed the ball into the upper right corner making the lead 4.  Chances continued for Bridges as striker Kieron Keane and Desmond Tachie continued to press, keeping Naset on their heels all night.

The final score of 5-0 was reached by Bridges striker Ian Leibbrandt.  Only 5 minutes into Leibbrandt’s time, the striker found himself with the ball 25 yards out.  Taking a touch forward, he struck for goal where his blast to the upper right window was a fantastic cap on a night of brilliant finishes for the visitors.

With little time to recover, Bridges will be back on the pitch tomorrow, Wednesday, against LB07 of Sweden at 17.00.