Gardner-Webb Drops Season Opener To Georgia Southern
August 22, 2008 | Women's Soccer
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb women's soccer team dropped the season opener against Georgia Southern Friday evening by a 2-0 score in front of 438 fans at Greene-Harbison Stadium.
The Bulldogs fall to 0-1 on the year while the Eagles improve to 1-0.
Head coach Kevin Mounce's team out-dueled GSU in virtually every statistical category except on the scoreboard. The Bulldogs had the possession in their attacking half of the field for the majority of the contest and had some tremendous looks on frame, but were unable to get anything past the Eagles' Lauren Santos.
For the contest, GWU notched 14 shots, seven of which were on goal, compared to just four shots for the visitors, three of which were on goal, and two of which found the back of the net.
Just 32 seconds into her collegiate career, rookie Megan Reimer ripped a shot from 15 yards out that sailed wide right of the goal. GWU continued to apply the offensive pressure as sophomore Melissa Battista notched a shot that missed left of the goal. The Bulldogs managed two corner kicks in the next eight minutes of action but were unable to muster a shot off either attempt.
At the 9:25 mark, newcomer Stephanie Benshoof played a perfect ball into the box from 35 yards out that looked as if it was heading for the goal. After Santos misplayed the ball, it bounced underneath the leaping goalkeeper and headed for the goal. However, an Eagle defender was able to put a light touch on it, enabling Santos to get back in position before the Bulldogs were able to put the ball away.
In the 16th minute of play, Ashley Toussaint took the ball about 30 yards out and played it toward the right corner of the field. From there, Danae Kaimuloa took a dribble, putting her close to the end line. She turned and fired a shot that was parallel to the end line. However, as Bulldog goalkeeper Jessica Tuggle went to grab the ball, she was unable to catch it cleanly and the ball trickled into the goal, giving GSU a 1-0 lead.
GWU tried to fight back as senior Angie Harvey fired a shot at the 17:50 mark that Santos was able to come away with. The Bulldogs were unable to manage another shot on goal in the half as the visitors took a 1-0 lead into intermission.
The second half started out just like it did in the first half for GWU. Reimer put a solid boot behind the ball 39 seconds into the half, but Santos was once again there to thwart the Bulldogs' attempt.
In the 54th minute, Kaimuloa found a streaking Sara Oland down the middle of the field between two Bulldog defenders. From close to 20 yards out, she was able to put the ball into the back of the net as Tuggle had come out to try and stuff the shot.
GWU had a tremendous opportunity in the 68th minute of play as Benshoof once again drilled a free kick into the box. After a couple of Bulldog players were able to touch it, GSU was able to play the ball out of harms way.
Senior Dara Goldstein and rookie Paige Reagan each put a great charge into a shot in the final 13 minutes for Mounce's team, but neither was able to get it past Santos.
"We played good," Mounce said. "The effort was there, but we just need to find a way to finish when we have opportunities. I also think we left some shots out there that we will eventually start taking."
The Bulldogs will attempt to get in the win column on Sunday
when they travel to The Citadel for a 1 p.m. contest.
| Box Score |
| Combined Statistics |
