GWU Women's Soccer to Face Coastal Carolina and Campbell on the Road this Week in Big South Action
September 30, 2013 | Women's Soccer
Boiling Springs, N.C. - Gardner-Webb's women's soccer team starts its first Big South road trip this week when the squad travels to face Coastal Carolina on Wednesday, October 2 and Campbell on Saturday, October 5.
GWU (2-7-1, 0-2) will look to cash in on the road early in League play to garner momentum crucial during a grueling month of October that includes five Big South road matches.
The Runnin' Bulldogs face a 4-5-1 Coastal Carolina squad that is coming off a 3-0 victory over VMI to even its Big South record at 1-1. The Chanticleers boast a stringent defense, giving up .90 goals allowed per game while forcing five shutouts thus far, as well as a timely offense that averages 1.20 goals scored per game.
Gardner-Webb will have to contend with two talented young goal-scorers on the road against Coastal. Fia Jonsson and Brianna Panico each has scored three goals so far this year.
The second half figures to key in the matchup between the Runnin' Bulldogs and the Chanticleers, who will be looking to avenge last season's 1-0 road loss to Gardner-Webb after Shelby Hooe headed in the second half game-winner off an assist from Tori James. Coastal Carolina has netted seven second half goals this season, and GWU has allowed twelve goals in the second period of play this year.
On Saturday, GWU travels to Buies Creek, N.C. for an inner-state matchup with Campbell (4-5, 0-2). The Fighting Camels are also looking to end a losing skid as well as pick up their first Big South win of the 2013 campaign.
Led by forward Payton Ornsby, Campbell's offensive attack has been effective this season, totaling 15 goals for an average of 1.7 per game. GWU's defensive backline, including Haley Ahrenholtz, Brooke Kelly, Addison Abee, and Whitley Bowman, as well as goalkeeper Amy Schmitt, will be tested on the road against a Fighting Camels squad that has won the past three meetings with Gardner-Webb.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will look to capitalize on a vulnerable Campbell defense currently allowing 2.70 goals per match. Hooe and fellow forwards Tara Woelfel and Meagan Reynolds figure to be keys to Saturday's match at Campbell.
Gardner-Webb's road match against Coastal Carolina (10/2) is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time, while the Runnin' Bulldogs' road contest at Campbell (10/5) is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start time.
