BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb got into double figures scoring on Saturday, but fell to Campbell by a 21-10 score in both teams' Big South Conference women's lacrosse opener.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (2-9, 0-1 Big South) fell behind 3-0 early, as Campbell (5-6, 1-0 Big South) scored three goals in the opening 3:14 of the game.

Talen Francis scored her 23rd goal of the season to break that early run, finding the net with 24:28 to play before halftime. Francis then assisted on a goal for Emily Gilsdorf with 22:58 left before halftime to trim the Camels' lead to one goal.

Campbell took control from there, going on a 4-0 run over the next seven minutes to go up 7-2 with 15:31 left in the half. Francis scored again off a free position, but Campbell scored three more to go up 10-3.

Gardner-Webb senior Amanda Steinmuller got on track with just under 10 minutes to play before the break, scoring twice in a span of five minutes to pull the Runnin' Bulldogs within 11-6 with 5:03 on the clock. Campbell added a goal from Kayla Reilly with 2:41 before halftime and led 12-6 at intermission.

The Runnin' Bulldogs showed life early in the second half, needing just 25 seconds for Lindsey Lippert to score and cut the lead to 12-7. The Syracuse, N.Y., senior scored off a free position.

Campbell went to work from there, getting back-to-back goals from Sarah Paul to kickstart a 7-1 run and take a double figures lead for the rest of the game. Gardner-Webb got late goals from Francis (17:31) and Lauren Deaver (9:59) to cap its scoring for the day.

Francis and Steinmuller each scored three goals to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs, with Francis adding an assist. Eilish Gately and Deaver each scored one goal and had an assist. Lippert and Gilsdorf also scored for Gardner-Webb.

Campbell held a 39-23 shooting advantage and also led the game in draw controls and ground balls. 

Mackenzie Koeller led the way with five goals and an assist, while Ellie Allen and Melissa Placek each scored three times. Reilly enjoyed a strong all-around day, scoring three goals to go with a game-high seven assists.

Gardner-Webb will hit the road for a pair next week, beginning at Liberty on Wednesday (April 4). First draw will be at 4:00 pm in Lynchburg, Va. GWU plays at Longwood on Saturday (April 7), at 1:00 pm.