GWU Women's Soccer Drops Road Match at North Florida on Sunday
August 26, 2012 | Women's Soccer
Jacksonville, Fla. - Gardner-Webb was unable to dig itself out of an early deficit and came out on the losing end of a 3-0 decision at North Florida on Sunday.
Gardner-Webb, which falls to 0-3 on the year with the loss, saw its offensive struggles continue early in the 2012 season, as the Runnin' Bulldogs are looking for their first goal three matches into the young season.
The host North Florida Ospreys put the Runnin' Bulldogs into an early hole with a goal in the fifth minute off the foot of Kathryne Husted.
Down 1-0 early for the second consecutive match, Gardner-Webb found itself in a battle against a stifling North Florida defense which limited the Runnin' Bulldogs to four shots in the opening half. Freshman forward Nichole Poppe (Youngsville, N.C.) gave the Runnin' Bulldogs its best scoring chances in the first half, taking all four of GWU's first half shots including one on goal in the eighth minute that was saved by UNF keeper Rachel Beninati.
GWU was put into a deeper hole in the 30th minute after Thea Linkfield put a straight-on shot into the back of the net to put North Florida on top 2-0.
Gardner-Webb continued to push offensively to procure a crucial goal late in the first half to cut the Ospreys' advantage in half, successfully keeping possession late in the opening period and swinging some of North Florida's momentum in its favor.
GWU midfielder Megan Curan (Mooresville, N.C.) gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a great scoring chance in the 37th minute when she played a high-arching cross along the end line directly in front of the UNF goal, but it was snagged by Beninati to keep the score at 2-0 in favor of the Ospreys heading into halftime.
Needing an offensive spark coming out of the break, the Runnin' Bulldogs found themselves instead on the defensive end of the field as North Florida continued to possess in GWU's defensive zone. UNF put the Runnin' Bulldogs in a 3-0 hole in the 51st minute with its third goal of the match.
A great move offensively by Sarah Morabito (Irmo, S.C.) in the 53rd minute gave GWU a great chance to get a goal back and some momentum going in its favor, but the shot attempt was just saved by the UNF keeper and deflected out of bounds. The ensuing corner kick went off target and North Florida regained possession.
Gardner-Webb continued to fight to gain quality offensive looks, as Poppe continued her solid offensive efforts to gain a scoring chance in the 57th minute. The freshman's strike went right into the arms of Beninati however and the score remained 3-0 in favor of UNF.
Despite not getting a ball past Beninati for the match, Gardner-Webb put forth its best offensive effort of the season, getting ten shots off for the match including six on goal, both season highs for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Nichole Poppe led the effort with five shots (two on goal), while Curan put one shot on goal and freshman Shelby Hooe (Mechanicsville, Va.) put both of her second half shot attempts on goal.
GWU keeper Amy Schmitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) found herself under fire throughout the match, as the Ospreys out shot the Runnin' Bulldogs 28-10 for the match. Schmitt tallied seven saves in a losing effort, giving her twenty on the season, while senior Mariah Peters (Lorton, Va.) collected one save in just over six minutes of scoreless action in goal.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will look for continued improvement after a week off from game play. GWU next travels to take on USC Upstate on Tuesday, September 4 in Spartanburg, S.C. at 7:00 p.m.
| Box Score: UNF 3 - GWU 0 |
