LYNCHBURG, VA – The Runnin' Bulldogs women's soccer team dropped their Big South opener 1-0 to Liberty Saturday afternoon at Osborne Stadium.
 
Head coach Mika Varga stated after the match, "That was a tough way to start the conference schedule" as Gardner-Webb took on the defending Big South defending champs. 
 
Liberty's Isabella Habuda led the way for the Flames as she scored the only goal of the match with 49:59 on the clock in the first period. Habuda's goal was her first of the season. Devon Jones was credited with the assist.
 
The Liberty offense managed to post 20 shots in the match, while nine were on goal. Eight different Flames players had shots on goal.
 
Gardner-Webb returned fire posting seven shots, with five on goal. Stina Kleppe and Samuelle Grove led the way for the Runnin' Bulldogs as they each had multiple shots (2) in the match, and one shot on goal. Jana Braun and Ty Snell both had one shot on goal for the 'Dawgs. Coach Varga was pleased with his team's efforts as they fought to keep themselves in the match and were able to get the ball into dangerous areas late in the match. 
 
Liberty took five corner kicks, while Gardner-Webb was held to one.
 
GWU goalkeeper Keely Brown faced nine shots making eight saves while conceding one goal. Liberty goalkeeper Melody Jayroe tallied five saves in 90:00 minutes of play.

Despite the loss coach Varga claimed, "our best soccer is still in front of us". 

Gardner-Webb falls to (2-8, 0-1 BSC) after today's match. Liberty climbs to (3-5-2, 1-0 BSC). The Runnin' Bulldogs take the field next as they welcome UNC Asheville to Greene-Harbison Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7:00 PM.