BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Jack Hoey scored twice, while Oskar Wang added a goal of his own as the Runnin' Bulldogs picked up a 3-0 Big South Conference win over conference newcomer USC Upstate.

"We played a great match tonight," said head coach Tony Setzer. "Jack did an excellent job leading our attack, and the back line continually cleared the ball to our attacking half of the field, allowing us to set up quality chances. It feels good to begin Big South play with momentum on our side."

Hoey now has three goals to lead all Gardner-Webb players. His first goal of the match came in the 20^th minute and was the Runnin' Bulldogs' fifth attempt of the game.

Wang set up Hoey's goal by crossing the ball to him in the center of the box. Hoey then headed the ball into the net, giving GWU the early 1-0 lead.

20 minutes later, Ismael Guerrero took a strike from the left side of the pitch, but his attempt hit off the crossbar and trickled away from the net, as the 'Dogs could not extend their advantage to a pair of goals before the intermission.

Gardner-Webb threatened early in the second period with Petter Johnansen nearly converting a header in the 49^th minute. The Runnin' Bulldogs were successful four minutes later when Hoey scored again, this time dribbling down the right side of the field and firing a shot into the net to put GWU up by a pair of goals.

USC Upstate only attempted six shots in the match, but its best chance came in the 62^nd minute of play when Francis Eto's shot hit the crossbar.

With his squad up 2-0, Wang gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a three-goal lead in the 68^th minute, netting his first goal of 2018 off a free kick from 20 yards to secure a dominant win for the 'Dogs.

In goal, freshman Daniel Husa made his first career start and recorded a clean sheet with three saves. Upstate's Andrea Bonavia stopped five shots.

The Runnin' Bulldogs held a 14-6 advantage in shots with Hoey and Mads Rismoen each attempting three. Gardner-Webb took six corners in the match, while the Spartans had three.

The 'Dogs improve to 1-4-1 overall and 1-0 in Big South play. USC Upstate is now 1-3 on the year with a 1-2 mark in conference action.

Gardner-Webb was originally scheduled to host VMI on Saturday, September 15, but the game has been postponed to a later date due to Hurricane Florence. The Runnin' Bulldogs will now take more than a week off before traveling to High Point for a 7 p.m. match on Saturday, September 22.