BUIES CREEK, N.C.- An own goal by Campbell in the 89th minute lifted the Gardner-Webb women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory on Wednesday evening at the Eakes Complex.
"We needed that one. I thought we played well enough in other matches but couldn't get over the hump," remarked Gardner-Webb women's soccer head coach Mike Varga. "Tonight we battled and showed a lot coming back from one goal down."
Shelby Hooe headed the ball toward the goal, which struck the post, but the rebound deflected off a Campbell defender and into the net for the game-winning goal with just a minute left in regulation.
"We will enjoy the rest of the night and then turn our attention to Saturday."
Offensively, Gardner-Webb outshot Campbell 13-9 for the match, including an 8-4 advantage in the second half. The Runnin' Bulldogs and Camels each had five shots in the opening period, but it was Gardner-Webb that continued to push the play in the second half, as it totaled eight shots compared to just four for Campbell.
Hooe and Justine Ibarra each had three shots a piece to pace the Dogs' attack, while Ashley Clark had a game-high seven shots for the Camels.
Keely Brown faced five shots and made four saves en route to her fourth victory of the season, while Alexis Connors also made four saves for Campbell in the loss.
Campbell jumped out to a 1-0 lead just before the halftime break, as Anna Brantley took a free kick and played the ball into the box, which Ashley Clark headed the attempt into the goal, for the first score of the match.
After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Gardner-Webb would tie the game just five minutes into the second half, when Hooe dribbled the ball down the left side, cut into the box, and shot the ball into the lower right hand corner of the net, for her fifth goal of the season.
It looked as if the match was headed for extra time, but Hooe's header went towards the net and struck the post, but the rebound deflected off a Camel defender and into the net for an own goal to lift the Dogs to the 2-1 victory.
Gardner-Webb hosts Longwood for Senior Day in its next match Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
