'Dogs Chomp Chanticleers, Move to 3-1 in Big South
October 12, 2008 | Men's Soccer
Two goals by senior Bradley Morrison lifted the Bulldogs to a 2-1 victory over Coastal Carolina at Greene-Harbison Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The conference win boosts Gardner-Webb to 3-1 in the Big South, while moving Coastal to 2-1.
Both teams came out ready to play Sunday afternoon, as the entire match was packed full of intense action. Coastal had its moments of dominance, but the Bulldogs answered the pressure and responded well with some well-designed attacks of their own.
The first goal of the match came in the seventh minute as Gardner-Webb was transitioning from defense to offense. The ball was cleared by the Bulldogs' back line to a streaking Matt Niescierowicz on the right side of the field. Once Niescierowiccz gained possession, he connected with Bradley Morrison at the top left corner of the box. After receiving the pass, Morrison took a touch and hit a low shot under the body of Coastal's keeper and into the back of the net.
The goal marked Morrison's fifth goal of the season, but more importantly it gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. It is also important to note that the Bulldogs haven't lost a match all year once scoring first, and this match proved no different.
Seeing as there was plenty of time left in the match, Coastal did a good job recovering. The Chanticleers continued to push the ball forward, and in the 25th minute their work paid off. Coastal's Riley Phelps received the ball at the top of the box, passed it to a streaking Tyler Miles at the top-left corner of the box, and Miles one-timed the ball into the right side netting past a diving Dane Geraci.
The two teams exchanged several more attempts in the first half, but to no avail. The score remained 1-1 at the half.
The second half was much more intense than the first, as both teams realized the next goal could be the game-winner. However, the Bulldogs did seem to have the upper hand most of the second half. The Bulldogs showed more intensity and desire for the ball, although they did let their emotions show more times than others and collected several yellow cards.
Despite the fouls, Gardner-Webb maintained the upper hand and the intensity was eventually rewarded. In the 71st minute of action, senior Miguel Pinzon received a nice through-ball and fired a shot; which hit off the Chanticleer's goalie and was put away by Morrison on the front steps of Coastal's goal.
Morrison's second goal proved to be the game-winner as Gardner-Webb held off Coastal in the remaining minutes to move to 3-1 in the Big South.
The Bulldogs' next match will come this Wednesday, October 15 at UNC-Asheville. The match is currently scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
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