Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer Drops 2-0 Decision at Longwood on Saturday
October 07, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Farmville, Va. - The Runnin' Bulldogs stayed on the road Saturday for its third consecutive Big South tilt away from Boiling Springs, falling to conference newcomer Longwood 2-0.
Gardner-Webb (2-11-1, 1-4-1) fell victim to a strong Longwood defense which limited the Runnin' Bulldogs to just two shots in the match, the lowest offensive output of the season for GWU.
The Lancers (10-4, 5-1) put the Gardner-Webb defense under tremendous pressure from the outset, forcing GWU keeper Amy Schmitt to make 5 saves in the first 16 minutes of the match. The sophmore from Waxhaw, N.C. increased her save total to 89 in 13 matches this season.
Schmitt recorded her sixth save of the match in just the 22nd minute of the match off a Natalie Massey shot attempt. GWU continued to be pressured by the Lancer attack, and after a Kelsey McDonald shot hit the post, McDonald recollected the ball and put one into the back of the net to put the home team up 1-0 in the 26th minute.
Longwood continued to hold possession of the ball, not allowing Gardner-Webb to establish momentum on the road, holding the ball and preventing the Runnin' Bulldogs from taking a shot in the first half.
GWU continued to be put on the defensive, as Longwood continued to pressure offensively with threatening runs within the Runnin' Bulldogs' defensive zone. A shot by Samantha Phillips of Longwood in the 64th minute hit the crossbar, and a shot by Kylie Dyer in the 70th minute went wide right.
Despite being out-possessed, Gardner-Webb found itself down only 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining.
The Runnin' Bulldogs looked to capitalize with its first quality looks of the night, off of shots on goal from Shelby Hooe (Mecanicsville, Va.) and Ashley Carmean (Ashburn, Va.) in the 72nd and 74th minutes respectively, but both were saved by Lancer keeper Kyra Byron to keep the home team on top 1-0.
The Lancer lead grew to 2-0 when Pardue had her 81st minute penalty kick attempt blocked by Schmitt, but gathered the rebound and put it into the left side of the goal. Gardner-Webb would be unable to mount another threatening scoring opportunity, and the Lancers stayed on top 2-0 after 90 minutes of play.
Longwood held edges in shots (22-2) and corner kicks (9-2) during Saturday's match.
Schmitt (2-11-1) took the loss, playing the full two periods while gathering eight saves. Byron earned the win, tallying three saves on the night.
Gardner-Webb will return home for its next match versus Big South foe Radford on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. prior to hosting VMI for Senior Day on Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m.
| Box Score: Longwood 2 - Gardner-Webb 0 |
