Runnin' Bulldogs Fall to Elon 2-1 in Double Overtime Friday Night
September 04, 2010 | Women's Soccer
WILMINGTON, N.C. - Elon's Brittany Hallberg scored the game-winning goal in the 106th minute of play to put the Phoenix over Gardner-Webb by a 2-1 score Friday evening in the opening game of the UNC Wilmington Hilton Garden Inn Invitational.
Hallberg, a senior forward, sent a sliding shot in from the top of the penalty kick area past GWU freshman goalkeeper Erica Lenns to earn the golden goal. Alanna Winsper was credited with the assist.
Elon (2-1-0) got on the board early in the first half when senior midfielder Winsper put a chip shot in off of the inside right post. It was the first goal of the season allowed by GWU junior goalkeeper Chelsea Hearne, who went over 320 minutes without allowing a single shot to get past her.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (2-1-1) best chance to score in the first half came in the 39th minute of play when freshman Meagan Reynolds put a shot on goal, but was unable to get the ball past Phoenix keeper Kristen Haney. GWU had a few additional chances to score in the first half, as redshirt sophomore midfielder Sonja Kienzler and Reynolds each sent shots wide of the goal to leave the 'Dogs searching for offense at the half.
Freshman Lenns took over in goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs at the start of the second half, and Elon tested her right away as Andrea Keller send a shot toward her in the 47th minute, yet the shot deflected off of one of the posts.
With time running out in the second half, Gardner-Webb got a break in the 89th minute when an Elon defender sent a header over Haney to the back of the net, giving the Runnin' Bulldogs the 1-1 tie at the end of regulation.
GWU attacked offensively during the two overtime periods and senior midfielder Sarah Keyser and junior forward Megan Reimer each had a shot on goal, yet neither were able to find the back of the net.
Friday's match marks the third consecutive double overtime match that the Runnin' Bulldogs have participated in, with an 0-0 tie against East Tennessee State on August 27th and a 1-0 win over USC Upstate this past Tuesday evening.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will play their second match of the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational Sunday afternoon as they face tournament host UNC Wilmington. The match is set to begin at 1:30 PM. Live stats for the match can be found at www.GWUSports.com.
| Box Score: Elon 2, Gardner-Webb 1 (2 OT) |
