HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Gardner-Webb men's soccer team opened its 2018 campaign with a 4-0 loss to James Madison in the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JMU Invitational.

"James Madison is a very physical team to match up with," said head coach Tony Setzer. "Despite not getting the result we wanted, our coaching staff saw a lot of positives to take away from the match. We play these non-conference matches to prepare for a grueling Big South Conference schedule and will continue to work hard and improve."

James Madison (1-0 overall) had a number of chances early, taking six shots in the first 30 minutes. The Dukes converted on their seventh shot, as Carson Jeffris rebounded a header that was deflected and scored from eight yards out to put JMU up 1-0.

The Dukes would not allow the Runnin' Bulldogs to attempt a shot in the first period, and recorded two additional attempts of their own over the 15 minutes before the intermission. One shot hit the post, while the other was saved by GWU's Grant Glorioso, as he held the Dukes to one goal in the opening period.

Jack Hoey took Gardner-Webb's first shot of the game in the 53^rd minute of the game, but his attempt was saved by Dukes keeper T.J. Bush.

Two minutes after Hoey's attempt, Jeffris scored his second goal of the contest, putting the Dukes in front of the Runnin' Bulldogs, 2-0.

For Gardner-Webb (0-1 overall), Magnus Moldjord, Hoey and David Koprowski would all take shots over a six-minute period, but two went wide, while Koprowski's shot was saved.

James Madison scored its third and fourth goals of the contest just 13 seconds apart. With 7:02 remaining, Tim Estermann received a cross from Tom Judge and connected from 12 yards away. Less than 15 seconds later, Estermann would score again, this time from 15 yards out off a pass from Jeffris.

James Madison took one final shot with just 37 seconds remaining, but Glorioso was credited with his sixth and final save of the contest.

Bush made two saves in goal for the Dukes, who outshot Gardner-Webb, 18-4 and 10-2 in shots on goal. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs will look to pick up their first win of 2018 on Sunday, August 26 against Virginia Tech. The game will be played at James Madison and is set for 4 p.m.