GWU Men's Soccer Falls to No. 25 Coastal Carolina, 3-1, in Big South Opener
September 24, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Conway, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb men's soccer team took on its second straight top-25 nationally ranked opponent on Friday night, as the Runnin' Bulldogs fell to No. 25 Coastal Carolina, 3-1, in the two teams' Big South Conference opener in Conway, S.C.
The loss snaps the Runnin' Bulldogs winning streak at two and drops GWU to 3-3-2 overall and 0-1 in Big South play, while Coastal Carolina improves to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big South.
Coastal Carolina, who climbed into the top-25 SoccerAmerica national rankings earlier this week, took an early 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute, as Cyprian Hedrick put a header into the left side of the net from about six-yards out off a cross from fellow teammate Jordan Schmoker.
Off the ensuing kick-off, Gardner-Webb took the ball right down the field and scored, as GWU's John Sargent blasted a shot from 30-yards out from the center of the field and placed it just inside the right side of the net to tie the score up at 1-1.
The goal was not only Sargent's third of the season, but his third in the last three matches.
However, the tie did not last long as just before the halftime intermission, Coastal Carolina's TeeJay East played a pass to fellow teammate Pedro Ribeiro in the box who put a shot past GWU goalkeeper Scott Krotee in the 44th minute to put the home team back in front at 2-1.
In the second half of play, Coastal Carolina added an insurance goal in the 51st minute by way of East to push its lead to two at 3-1.
Gardner-Webb's Chris Davis had a shot attempt blocked in the 68th minute and then another shot attempt hauled in by Coastal Carolina goalkeeper Scott Angevine in the 72nd minute, as Coastal Carolina held on to a two goal lead with less than 20 minutes to go in regulation.
Over the final 18 minutes of play, Coastal Carolina outshot GWU 3-1, as the Runnin' Bulldogs lone other scoring opportunity came in the final seconds of the match, as Coastal Carolina came away with the 3-1 Big South Conference win.
GWU's Krotee suffered the loss, posting two saves for the match, while Coastal Carolina's Angevine picked up the win, while also making two saves in 90 minutes of play.
Coastal Carolina outshot Gardner-Webb 13-8 for the match, as the Runnin' Bulldogs placed only three shots on goal.
Both teams wore black arm bands in remembrance and honor of Gardner-Webb men's soccer player Jordan Day's brother, who passed away this summer.
The loss is Gardner-Webb's fourth straight to the Chanticleers on the pitch.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-3-2) will not have long to rest, as GWU will turn around to take on UNC Greensboro at 8 p.m. on Saturday night in Greensboro, N.C. The match, which was originally slated for a 7 p.m. start time, was backed up an hour to 8 p.m. due to a scheduling conflict.
The match be video streamed live by UNC Greensboro and can be found at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/uncg.portal#. Live stats will also be available at http://livestats.prestosports.com/uncg/. Links to both the video feed and live stats are available on the men's soccer page at www.gwusports.com.
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| Box Score: No. 25 Coastal Carolina 3, Gardner-Webb 1 |
