Gardner-Webb Battles Liberty to 0-0 Tie in Double Overtime at Home Thursday Night
October 07, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - The Runnin' Bulldogs dueled against Liberty blow for blow Thursday night at Greene-Harbison Field, but neither side could get a goal across as the score remained 0-0 when the final whistle blew Thursday night.
Gardner-Webb (2-5-4) fought off a Liberty attack that had scored eight goals in its previous four games, all victories for the Flames (5-3-3). All night long the Gardner-Webb defense held strong against Liberty's offense, vying off any open looks achieved by the visiting team.
The opening minutes of the first half saw few scoring opportunities for either team, as the defenses for both Gardner-Webb and Liberty proved that there would be no easy goals. The closest look for either team in the first half came on a shot by Liberty's Geena Swentik that was blocked by the GWU defense. The Runnin' Bulldogs' back line defense, primarily consisting of Tina Frost, Addison Abee, Mackenzie Davis, Shaylyn Poppe, and Taylor Napoli did an excellent job all game and particularly in the first half staying with Liberty's strikers to prevent open looks at the goal.
Both teams made effective halftime adjustments, as Gardner-Webb and Liberty were able to threaten the 0-0 score in the second half with open offensive looks. Sophomore keeper Erika Lenns kept the Flames off the scoreboard with a save in the 47th minute, and Liberty keeper Karen Blocker did the same on GWU shots on goal by Dawn Rollyson and Megan Curan early in the second half.
Lenns was solid all night, and none of her saves were more vital than a spectacular diving one in the 62nd minute off a Maddie Boone shot attempt that preserved the 0-0 tie.
GWU senior Stephanie Benshoof nearly put the Runnin' Bulldogs on top with shots on goal in the 66th and 70th minute, but both were blocked by Blocker.
In the first overtime period, Liberty nearly secured the clinching goal, but was called for offsides to keep the score 0-0. Both defenses held the rest of the way and neither team was able to put a shot on goal during overtime.
The Runnin' Bulldogs stay at home to face High Point Saturday at 7 p.m. for a match which will be available for live stats and live-streaming courtesy of the Big South Conference. Liberty travels to take on Winthrop in Rock Hill, S.C. Saturday at 7 p.m.
| Gardner-Webb vs. Liberty - Box Score |
