Runnin' Bulldogs Drop Heartbreaker, 2-1, in Double Overtime Saturday at Big South Rival High Point
September 30, 2012 | Women's Soccer
High Point, N.C. - Gardner-Webb got a first-half goal from Samantha Gutierrez, and held High Point scoreless for over 95 consecutive minutes during Saturday night's contest, but saw the Panthers' Taylor Parker score in the 104th minute to down the Runnin' Bulldogs 2-1 in dramatic Big South Conference action.
Saturday's match marked the first overtime affair of the season for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as the GWU defensive backline played a major role in forcing overtime against one of the most dangerous offensive attacks in the Big South conference.
Gardner-Webb (2-9, 1-3) found itself down early on the road once again after Janay Whitaker struck with a goal in the 8th minute to the Panthers on top 1-0. Saturday's match marked the fourth time this season in which GWU has found itself battling from behind after allowing a goal in the first ten minutes of the first half.
The GWU defense settled despite the familiar early setback, allowing Gardner-Webb's offensive weapons to go to work. Leading scorer Shelby Hooe (Mechanicsville, Va.) looked to give the visiting Runnin' Bulldogs some momentum, making a nice run in the 16th minute that resulted in a shot on frame, but the freshman's attempt was saved by High Point keeper Ivy Cocklereece.
High Point (3-4-6, 2-0-2) continued to pressure GWU's defense, getting a shot attempt from Boiling Springs native Amy Burch in the 12th minute that went wide, keeping Gardner-Webb down by one goal.
GWU's defense continued to step up, blocking a High Point header attempt in the 12th minute to prevent the Panthers from extending their lead.
In the 20th minute, head coach Kevin Mounce called for midfielder Samantha Gutierrez (Austin, Texas) to enter the match. That move proved to pay off, as the freshman gave GWU a huge boost in the 23rd minute.
Gutierrez found space 20 yards out from the Panther goal and fired a shot into the upper right corner of the goal to beat Cocklereece and tie the match at 1-1. The goal marked the first of Gutierrez's career as a Runnin' Bulldog.
Sophomore Runnin' Bulldog keeper Amy Schmitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) helped keep the Panthers off the board for the rest of the half, collecting saves in the 25th and 27th minutes to prevent a rebound by the home team.
Gardner-Webb looked for the go ahead goal in the 28th minute when freshman Brooke Kelly (Lawrenceville, Ga.) soared her corner kick into the box, and sophomore Megan Curan (Mooresville, N.C.) leaped to get a head on the ball, but her attempt went high and the score remained 1-1.
GWU nearly found itself down a goal heading into the break, but the 45th minute shot attempt from Melissa Sweredoski hit the post and the Runnin' Bulldogs managed a 1-1 tie heading into the break.
Schmitt continued to play big for the road team, keeping High Point from taking the lead with a save in the 50th minute off a Jenny Butler shot attempt.
Despite the shot discrepancy, Gardner-Webb got good close out defense from its backline defenders in the match. Addison Abee (Charlotte, N.C.), Brianna Fraire (Clemmons, N.C.), Whitley Bowman (Damascus, Md.), and Ele Margelos (North Potomac, Md.) were stellar Saturday night in limiting a powerful Panther offense for much of the match.
After another shot by the Panthers hit the post, this one by Becca Hemby, Curan got a good look at a potential go-ahead goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs, but Jesse May was there for the save for the home team in the 63rd minute.
Schmitt continued her solid play in goal as the second half waned, saving Panther shots by Hemby and Taylor Parker in the 74th and 75th minutes respectively.
High Point continued to earn possession time, keeping the Runnin' Bulldogs on the defensive. Hemby and Whittaker got shots off in the 79th and 81st minutes, but both were off target.
Gardner-Webb countered with an offensive attack that resulted in a corner kick for the visitors. Tara Woelfel (Thurmont, Md.) took the attempt, but a foul was called after her kick as the regulation clock wound down.
Woelfel got another opportunity to get the Runnin' Bulldogs on the board for the second time in the match, but her shot attempt in the 87th minute went wide. The GWU defense held, and the Panthers and Runnin' Bulldogs went into overtime.
Gutierrez got a shot off in the 93rd minute, but her goal bid went just wide of the goal. Schmitt recorded the first of four saves in the first overtime at the 95th minute mark on a shot by the Panthers' Taylor Parker.
Entering the second overtime, GWU continued to hold High Point off the scoreboard, blocking a shot attempt by Meghan Krasnow in the 101st minute and keeping the home team from scoring off a Parker corner kick in the same minute.
Gutierrez got a shot off after an offensive attack from the Runnin' Bulldogs penetrated the High Point defense, but her bid in the 103rd minute was blocked.
The 104th minute saw the Panthers break through, as Parker scored from 15 yards out to give High Point the win.
Gutierrez (one goal, three shots) paced the Runnin' Bulldogs offensively, leading a Gardner-Webb attack that, despite its early season struggles, has scored in all four of its Big South matches.
Schmitt recorded a career high ten saves for the Runnin' Bulldogs Saturday night.
Gardner-Webb returns to the soccer pitch Thursday, October 4 for a match with Liberty as the Runnin' Bulldogs continue Big South play. GWU's road match against the Flames is set for a 7:00 p.m. start time.
| Box Score: HPU 2 - GWU 1 |
