YORK, PA – Sophomore Sean Metz tallied the winning goal in the 81^st minute to lift the Spartans a 2-1 non-conference win over Bridgewater (Va.) on a sunny Saturday in York. The win keeps York unbeaten at 4-0-2 while the loss for the Eagles is their first as they fall to 4-1-2. Metz's goal came just over three and a half minutes after Bridgewater tied the game at one.
 
How It Happened
• The first half saw a majority of the action take place in the middle of the field over the first 30 minutes of play. The Spartans finally built some momentum and took advantage of a good chance. Gavin Bealer carried the ball down the right flank and served the ball into the box and to the foot of Drew Ruehlicke. Ruehlicke blasted a shot that caught the bottom of the crossbar. The ball then caromed off Bridgewater goalie Charles Schwinefuss and went into the back of the net for the 1-0 Spartan lead. The goal was Ruehlicke's first of the year.
• The Spartans out shot the Eagles 5-1 in the first half while York also had a 3-1 margin in corner kicks.
• Bridgewater made some halftime adjustments and came out looking to notch the equalizer. The Eagles had a great chance in the 50^th minute as they had a cross that just missed connecting on the far left post. The Eagles continued to pressure York as they started to quickly accumulate shots and corner kicks during the half. The Eagles almost tied the game in the 69^th minute but Thomas Vik's brilliant header off a corner was turned away with a nice save by Spartan goalie Brady Bixler.
• Bridgewater finally tied the game in the 78^th minute as Vik carried the ball along the far sideline. He slid a quality pass into the box where Eric Ramirez collected the ball and deposited a shot inside the far left post for his second goal of the year.
• York got the go-ahead goal in the 81^st minute as Tyler Howlett hit a rocket toward the goal. Schwinefuss made a great save but the rebound came right to Sean Metz who wasted no time in putting home the rebound for the game winner. The Eagles had one last chance in the 88^th minute as Cole Dunbar had a close range header that Bixler was able to save, preserving the lead for the Spartans.
• The Eagles out shot York 10-4 in the second half and also held a 9-2 bulge in corner kicks in the second 45 minutes of play.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans improve to 2-1 all-time against Bridgewater … York improves to 3-0-1 at home in 2022 … York has outscored their six opponents 12-4 for the year … York has been out shot in five of their six games and have been out shot 81-56 for the year … Tyler Howlett picked up his team-leading fourth assist of the year … Sean Metz notched his second goal of the year and he joins Jack Mitzelfelt as the only Spartan with multiple goals this year … York has had 12 different players record at least one point this season … senior Brady Bixler recorded three saves in the win for York.
 
Up Next
The Spartans continue their season-high four game home stand as they host former Capital Athletic Conference rival Salisbury for a non-conference match on Wednesday night at Graham Field. Kick-off is set for 7:00 pm.