Gardner-Webb Drops Big South Match at Radford 1-0 Thursday Night
October 14, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb held the host Radford Highlanders scoreless in the second half, but was unable to manufacture any goals on the offensive end and fell 1-0.
With the loss, GWU falls to 2-6-5 on the year and 0-3-2 in the Big South while conference frontrunner Radford moves to 10-3 overall and 5-0 in Big South play.
GWU keeper Erika Lenns continued her solid play in goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The sophomore from Raleigh, N.C. stopped an early Highlander scoring bid in the 2nd minute, saving a Julie Ruh'e header to keep the game scoreless early. Ruh'e would score off a Mary Wiley assist in the 13th minute to put the host team on top 1-0. Lenns and the Runnin' Bulldog defense would clamp down for the remainder of the first half to keep the deficit at one.
Senior Megan Tremblay had two great scoring looks in the first half, sending a free kick just over the crossbar in the 34th minute and striking a shot off a Megan Curan corner kick just over the goal in the 45th minute.
Senior Dawn Rollyson was also able to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a look at evening the score in the 26th minute, but her goal bid was saved by Radford keeper Lisa Lubke.
Sophomore forward Megan Reynolds gave the Runnin' Bulldog offense a jump start, giving GWU its first shot on goal in the second half, striking a ball towards the net in the 67th minute, but it was saved by Lubke to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Highlanders. Rollyson had a shot blocked four minutes later as GWU continued to attempt a second half rally.
With Radford still holding a 1-0 lead, senior Tremblay got another shot off for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the 75th minute only to have it blocked by the Radford defense.
Lenns once again was rock solid for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the second half, providing a save in the 85th minute off an Annabel Bergin shot attempt to keep the deficit from growing to two goals. Lenns stepped up once again in the 88th minute, collecting a save off a shot from Chelsea Hayes to give the Runnin' Bulldogs offense a chance to strike in the final minutes.
GWU was awarded a corner kick in the final minute, but was unable to provide the equalizer.
Lenns took the loss, recording five saves. It was the third match in a row in which the Runnin' Bulldog defense held the opposition scoreless in the second half, including ties with Liberty and High Point on October 6 and October 8 respectively.
GWU women's soccer returns to action this Saturday at 11 am as the Runnin' Bulldogs stay in the state of Virginia to face VMI in Big South Conference action. Radford stays at home for a showdown with Winthrop this Saturday, a match scheduled to start at 2 pm.
| Radford vs. Gardner-Webb - Box Score |
