BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb played tough in the early going, but dropped a 23-11 decision to Winthrop in the Big South Conference regular season women's lacrosse finale Saturday afternoon.

It was Senior Day for the Runnin' Bulldogs (3-14, 1-6 Big South), who recognized six of the student-athletes who laid the foundation for the fourth-year program. 

Gardner-Webb tied the game, 2-2, on an unassisted goal by freshman Hailey Maranto with 27:13 on the first half clock, but saw Winthrop (12-5, 5-2 Big South) use a 7-1 run to take control of the game midway through the half.

The Eagles stretched the lead 15-6 by halftime and went up 17-7 on Kristen Shriver's second goal of the second half with 28:50 left to play. Gardner-Webb was able to cut the lead back into single digits, 19-10, when Lindsey Lippert found the net off a feed from Abby Hanscom, but the Eagles got three consecutive goals from Shriver to extend its lead back to double figures.

Winthrop used an effective transition game to get its offense rolling and assisted on 11 of its 23 goals. Shriver enjoyed a fine day individually, scoring 10 goals and dishing off two assists to lead the way – with many of her opportunities coming in the open field.

Nicole Beatson added three goals and a pair of assists and Katherine Judge scored three times.

Gardner-Webb got three goals and an assist from Hanscom and two goals each from Maranto, Lippert and Eilish Gately. Maranto also supplied a team-high three assists.

Career scoring leader Amanda Steinmuller finished with one goal and two assists, breaking her own single-season marks for goals (39) and assists (22) in the process. The Ellicott City, Md., senior finished the regular season with 173 career points.