Runnin' Bulldogs Blank USC Upstate 1-0 on Wednesday Night
September 16, 2010 | Men's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb men's soccer team snapped a two-match losing streak on Wednesday night, as the Runnin' Bulldogs shutout USC Upstate 1-0 in non-conference play at Greene-Harbison Field.
The lone goal of the match came in the first half, as in the 16th minute senior Romeo Kabanda fired a low line drive shot off his left foot from the left side of the goal box that streaked past Upstate's goalkeeper Jason McCabe and into the right side of the goal, putting the home team up early at 1-0.
The goal was Kabanda's first of the season, while fellow senior Guy Mbanyamsig was credited with the assist, his first on the year.
That was all the offense that the Runnin' Bulldogs would need, as GWU held control of the ball for most of the first half, holding the Spartans to only three shots over the first 45 minutes of play.
Out of the halftime intermission, the Spartans' offensive attack picked up, as USC Upstate fired off four quick shots in the first 12 minutes of the half, yet to no avail, failing to put one in the back of the net.
Both teams struggled to get off many shots in the final 30 minutes of play, as the physicality of the play picked up on both sides of the pitch.
Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Adam Garcia picked up the shutout victory, his second of the season, while picking up only one save over the 90 minutes of play, facing only nine USC Upstate shot attempts.
The Runnin' Bulldogs out shot USC Upstate 13-9 for the match and posted a slight 7-6 advantage on corner kicks with all seven of GWU's coming in the first half.
Freshman Chris Davis lined up three shots for the match, putting two of those on frame, while sophomore midfielder John Sargent tallied four shots with one being placed on goal.
Upstate's McCabe falls to 0-2-2 on the season, despite picking up five saves in the 1-0 loss.
Gardner-Webb (2-3) will look to continue its winning ways this weekend, as the Runnin' Bulldogs host the Davidson Wildcats at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, at Greene-Harbison Field.
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| Box Score: Gardner-Webb 1, USC Upstate 0 |
