Gardner-Webb Edged by High Point, 1-0, at Home on Saturday Night
September 29, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - A goal by High Point's Taylor Parker in the 59th minute broke a 0-0 tie in the 2nd half, and a stingy Panther defense prevented Gardner-Webb from netting an equalizer to knock off the Runnin' Bulldogs, 1-0, at Greene-Harbison Field on Saturday night.
GWU (2-7-1, 0-2) played solid defense to stay in the match all the way to the final horn, fighting off eight Panther shots on goal. Goalkeeper Amy Schmitt (Waxhaw, N.C.) added seven saves to her Big South-leading count (62) with a good effort in goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Sophomore Tori James (Fayatteville, Ga.) pushed the ball forward in the 1st minute and fired a shot on frame. Her scoring bid was scooped up by Panther keeper Jesse May in what would be the only shot on goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the match.
In the 24th minute, Gardner-Webb found one of its best scoring chances when Brooke Kelly turned defense into offense and lobbed a ball forward for Shelby Hooe, who timed the run well to stay onside and get behind Panther defenders Amy Burch and Alise LeCompte. Hooe wound up a shot off the dribble from 20 yards out, but it sailed over the crossbar and the match remained scoreless.
The backline for the Runnin' Bulldogs, led by junior defender Addison Abee (Charlotte, N.C.) showed consistent effort throughout in quelling High Point's (4-5, 2-0) offensive opportunities. In the 26th minute, Kelli Joline of High Point appeared to break free for an open look at the goal to test Schmitt with a shot attempt, but Abee sprinted from the backside to get a foot on the shot attempt and force the ball out of bounds.
The Panthers broke through in the 59th minute when Parker intercepted an attempted clearance and wound up a shot straight-on from the top of the 18 yard box, striking it just inside the right post and past the hands of a diving Schmitt for what would prove to be the only scoring of the match.
Gardner-Webb pushed the ball forward late, testing a disciplined Panther defense in the last 10 minutes with two of its six shot attempts for the match. Meagan Reynolds found space after a nice hustle play from Hooe deflected goalkeeper May's boot at the top of the box, but her shot attempt was blocked before it could get on frame and the score remained 1-0 in High Point's favor.
Sophomore Tara Woelfel (Thurmont, Md.) gave GWU a boost of energy off the bench in the 2nd half and gave the Runnin' Bulldogs one of its best scoring chances of the match in the 89th minute. Woelfel wound up a shot off the dribble at the top of the 18 yard box, but her scoring bid went wide of the goal. High Point would take possession and keep the ball on GWU's half of the pitch throughout the final minute to secure the 1-0 road win.
Gardner-Webb and High Point continue to play each other close, dating back to last year's 2-1 win for the Panthers in double overtime.
Schmitt (2-7-1) took the loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs, while May (4-4) captured the win, tallying one save in the match.
GWU returns to the pitch Wednesday, October 2, hitting the road for a Big South match at Coastal Carolina. Wednesday's match between the Runnin' Bulldogs and the Chanticleers is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time.
| Box Score: HPU 1, GWU 0 |
