Runnin' Bulldogs Women's Soccer Readies for Matches at Radford, versus Liberty This Week
October 14, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb's women's soccer team will look to gain momentum in the middle of the Big South portion of its 2013 season this week, facing League counterparts Radford and Liberty on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively.
GWU (3-10-1, 1-5 Big South) is coming off two shutout losses, the latest a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of a Longwood team that improved to 5-1 in the Big South with the win. The schedule doesn't get any easier, as the Runnin' Bulldogs travel to face the defending League champion Highlanders.
Radford (10-1-1, 6-0 Big South) boasts a defense that allows a Big South low .40 goals per game, including just one goal in Big South play, as goalkeeper Che' Brown leads the League individually with a .45 goals against average. Offensively, the Highlanders have been effective, scoring 13 goals in Conference play led by Sahar Aflaki's 5 goals on the year.
GWU will look to its improved offense in both matches this week in tests versus stout defenses. Runnin' Bulldog sophomore Shelby Hooe (Mechanicsville, Va.) leads the offensive charge, having recorded career highs in goals (5), assists (4), and points (14) this season. Redshirt junior Meagan Reynolds (Kings Mountain, N.C.) has chipped in three assists on the year as one of ten Runnin' Bulldogs that have registered at least one assist or one goal this year.
On Saturday, keeper Holly Vannoord and Liberty (9-4-1) face the Runnin' Bulldogs at Greene-Harbison Field. Vannoord and the Flames have pitched a Big South leading nine shutouts this year, and will bring an offense averaging 1.64 goals per match to Boiling Springs on Saturday. Crystal Elmers leads the Flames with 5 goals scored on the year.
On the defensive side, the Runnin' Bulldogs will look to add consistency to an effort that has produced two shutouts this season, both for Gardner-Webb wins. In its three wins this season, the backline of Addison Abee, Haley Ahrenholtz, Whitley Bowman, and Brooke Kelly have helped goalkeeper Amy Schmitt (82 saves, 3rd Big South) keep the opposition off the scoreboard in the second half.
GWU's match at Radford on Wednesday, October 16 is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time. The Runnin' Bulldogs are scheduled to face Liberty at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19.
