Gardner-Webb Women's Soccer Drops its Season Opener 1-0 at Wofford Friday Night
August 18, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Spartanburg, S.C. - The Runnin' Bulldogs fought in a nail biter against the host Wofford Terriers, but surrendered a late second half goal and fell in its season opener by a score of 1-0.
The match was scoreless entering the 84th minute when one of several threatening offensive looks earned by the Wofford offense throughout the game found the back of the net to provide the final margin.
Defense ruled in the first half of the matchup between the Runnin' Bulldogs and the Terriers, as neither squad could get on the board in the first 45 minutes of action. GWU's sophomore goalkeeper Amy Schmitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) and the rest of the Runnin' Bulldogs' defense kept the score knotted at 0-0. Schmitt recorded seven saves in the first half in her second career start.
Wofford was able to control possession of the ball for the majority of the first half and outshot Gardner-Webb 16-2 during the opening half. Despite the disparity, GWU still had an excellent scoring opportunity in the first half of play.
Freshman Brooke Kelly (Lawrenceville, Ga.) put a corner kick in front of the goal, then hustled in to the midst of the action. When the ball rebounded her way, Kelly put a good strike on goal, but it was deflected by a well-placed Wofford defender.
Gardner-Webb's defense bent, but did not break in the first half, battling to keep it a scoreless tie at halftime.
GWU responded after halftime with great energy, earning the edge in time of possession in the first 10 minutes after the break. A team which saw six freshmen make the starting lineup seemed to grow up in the second half, as a young Runnin' Bulldogs team came out after the break and made great strides in controlling the pace of the game.
A great defensive effort by junior Megan Loftin (Kings Mountain, N.C.) in the 55th minute kept the Terriers off the board. After a Wofford corner was played into the box, a Terrier shot was placed on goal outside of the keeper Schmitt's reach. Loftin was in the right place at the right time, heading the ball away to keep the match scoreless.
GWU continued to battle through offensively, and was rewarded for its efforts with a free kick in the 60th minute after a great run by sophomore Megan Curan (Mooresville, N.C.) resulted in a Wofford penalty deep in the Terrier's zone. Freshman Nichole Poppe (Youngsville, N.C.) took the free kick, and her shot attempt went just wide to the right side.
The Gardner-Webb defensive back line kept the Terrier attack at bay in the second half after weathering Wofford's 16 shot offensive effort in the opening half of play. Sophomore Addison Abee's (Charlotte, N.C.) efforts at center back, alongside outside backs Ele Margelos (North Potomac, Md.), Kelly, and Whitley Bowman (Damascus, Ga.) held strong in the second half of play in keeping the Terriers off the board as the second half wore on.
The Runnin' Buldogs continued to push on the offensive end, working for opportunities to pressure the Wofford defense. GWU earned a corner in the 71st minute, but freshman Shelby Hooe's (Mechanicsville, Va.) attempt was kicked away from the goal by a Wofford defender.
The deciding goal came in the 84th minute when Wofford's Maureen Buff scored on a strike from the left side just over Schmitt's outstretched hands.
Gardner-Webb refused to let up, and earned a free kick in Wofford territory in the final minute of play. A threatening ball played by Kelly was placed in front of the Terriers' goal, but a header attempted by a hustling Bowman went wide left.
For the game, Wofford earned a 23-5 shot advantage over Gardner-Webb.
The Runnin' Bulldogs are back in action on Tuesday, August 21 when GWU hosts South Carolina State for its 2012 home opener. Gardner-Webb's first home match of the season is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time.
| Box Score - Wofford 1 Gardner-Webb 0 |
