Gardner-Webb Hits the Road for Matches at UNC Asheville, at Presbyterian this Week
October 16, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb's women's soccer team will take on two Big South opponents this week as the 2012 regular season nears an end, traveling for road contests at UNC Asheville (Thur., Oct. 18 at 3:00 p.m.) and at Presbyterian (Sat., Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m.).
After going 1-1 in Big South play last week, Gardner-Webb is up to 9th (7 points) in the conference standings, trailing 7th place Campbell and Charleston Southern (12 points each).
The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-11-1, 2-5-1) are coming off a 2-0 win over VMI in its final home game of the 2012 season. GWU got goals from Samantha Gutierrez (Austin, Texas) and Tara Woelfel (Thurmont, Md.), and a shutout effort from its defense to earn the win. Gutierrez's 9th minute goal off an Addison Abee (Charlotte, N.C.) assist marked her first collegiate game-winner.
The win came after Gardner-Webb played one of its best matches all-around at home versus League-leading Radford, one that ended with the Highlanders scoring an 87th minute goal in heartbreaking fashion.
The Runnin' Bulldog defense will look to continue its recent string of standout performances on Thursday. The Bulldogs of UNC Asheville (3-13, 1-7) rank fourth in the Big South in goals scored and are led by Kaitlyn Eckert's eight goals. Gardner-Webb will look for aggressive play from its forwards, as Shelby Hooe (Mechanicsville, Va.), Nichole Poppe (Youngsville, N.C.), and company will look for scoring opportunities against an Asheville defense giving up 3.38 goals per game.
Gardner-Webb defeated Asheville in dramatic fashion a year ago, scoring a 4-3 win on a Katie Soles goal in the final seconds of double overtime.
On Saturday, GWU takes on Presbyterian (2-13, 2-6), a team it outscored 3-0 last season at home. Blue Hose keeper Jordan Broadway is 4th in the conference in saves with 67 and is allowing just over 2 goals per game.
Thursday's match at UNC Asheville is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start time, and Saturday's match at Presbyterian is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.
