GREENVILLE, N.C. – Despite a second half goal from Maddie Turlington, the Gardner-Webb women's soccer team dropped an exhibition match to the East Carolina Pirates, 2-1, on Saturday evening.

The match allowed head coach Mike Varga and assistants Christina Sarokon and Lucy Jeffs to try many combinations throughout the contest as a total of 27 Runnin' Bulldogs saw action.

"Overall I was pleased with what I saw tonight," Varga said. "I knew this was going to be tough as ECU is a talented team that is very difficult to play against. I thought we had a good showing and moved the ball well in parts of the game. We did lose patience at times, but when we kept our discipline and shared the ball we had some very good sequences. There were a lot of positives to take into our opening weekend."

East Carolina struck first in the match when Courtney Cash scored off an assist from Morgan Dewey in the 22^nd minute. Cash's goal came off a free kick from the left wing and was headed into the left corner of the net.

Gardner-Webb did manage five shots in the period, including two on goal – one by Stina Kleppe and one by Aubrie Jackson – but both players were unable to convert. The Pirates managed three additional shots in the opening half, four of which came on goal.

ECU controlled the tempo early in the second half, getting five shots on goal (six total) in the first seven minutes. The Pirates scored their second goal of the contest in the 56^th minute to take a 2-0 lead.

For Gardner-Webb, Jada Newton recorded Gardner-Webb's fist two shots of the second half, which were sandwiched between ECU's goal.

Just 10 minutes after the Pirates doubled their advantage, freshman Maddie Turlington put the Runnin' Bulldogs on the board. Samuelle Grove crossed the ball to Turlington from the right wing, and Turlington placed the ball into the bottom of the far post, cutting ECU's lead to 2-1.

The 'Dogs were unable to tie the contest, as the Pirates controlled the tempo for the final 24 minutes, holding a 5-1 advantage in shots. Ivy Spratling took the Runnin' Bulldogs' final shot of the match in the 75^th minute, but it sailed wide of the goal.

ECU took 23 shots compared to just nine for Gardner-Webb.

Keely Brown started the match in goal for Gardner-Webb, playing the first half and making four saves. Freshman Katelyn Kellogg played the final 45 minutes of the contest and was credited with eight saves.

For the Pirates, a trio of goalkeepers combined for nine saves.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will open the regular season next Friday, August 17, at 7 p.m., when they travel to UNC-Greensboro.