Bulldogs Take 1-0 Win in Big South Conference Opener
September 24, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Clinton, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb men's soccer team only needed one goal on Wednesday night, as the Bulldogs shutout Presbyterian College 1-0 in the two teams' Big South Conference opener.
With the win the Bulldogs improve to 4-1 on the season and 1-0
conference play, while PC falls to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big
South with the loss.
The two teams played to a stalemate in the first half, as neither
team could get on the scoreboard in what was a very balanced yet
physical first 45 minutes of play.
With both teams putting shots on goal in the first frame,
Gardner-Webb with five shots on goal compared to the Blue Hose's
two, it was a matter of time before someone's offense broke
through.
It would be the Bulldogs offense, as in the 49th minute freshman
John Sargent blasted a shot that hit off the post, bounced past the
goal line and into the back of the net, giving Gardner-Webb a 1-0
advantage. The goal, which proved to be the game winner, was
Sargent's second of the season, both coming in 1-0 GWU
victories.
The Sargent goal was all that the Bulldogs needed, as the defense
clamped down and stifled the Blue Hose, holding its offense to only
five shots in the final 45 minutes of play with none of them being
on goal.
Gardner-Webb keeper Trent Kozman was perfect in goal for the
Bulldogs, picking up two saves over the 90 minutes of action to
record his fourth win and second shutout on the year.
Statistically GWU held a slight advantage in fouls, 21-17, corner
kicks, 6-4, and total shots, outshooting PC 11-9. However, it was
the shots on frame that stood out, as Gardner-Webb put 10 of its 11
shots on goal, while Presbyterian College had only two shots on
goal.
The Bulldogs will look to continue its hot start this weekend, as
Coach Setzer's squad hits the road for yet another conference
match, traveling to Radford, Va. to take on the Radford Highlanders
at 6 p.m. on Saturday night.
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| Box Score - Gardner-Webb 1, Presbyterian College 0 |
