BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Three different Runnin' Bulldogs scored as the Gardner-Webb women's soccer team defeated USC Upstate, 3-1, in its first Big South match of the season.

"Fortunately we got off to a quick start," said head coach Mike Varga. "I thought we lost discipline with the lead and credit goes to Upstate for making it difficult for us. It's great to start a tough Big South Conference schedule with three points."

For Gardner-Webb, Samuelle Grove began the scoring in the 12^th minute of the match off a corner kick from Stina Kleppe.

Kleppe's corner ended up in the left side of the box, where Grove punched the ball into the net for her second goal of the year to give the Runnin' Bulldogs the early lead.

Just three minutes later, Jada Newton would have her first attempt of the night blocked, but her second shot, which came in the 19^th minute, was successful.

Fellow freshman Alisha Holcombe played the ball to Newton after a deflection, and Newton scored from a short distance to give the home team a two-goal advantage over the visitors from nearby Spartanburg.

For the next 14 minutes, neither team managed much possession on the offensive end, until the Spartans made it a one-goal contest in the 36^th minute. Upstate's leading goal scorer, Jada Kinlow, took a pass from Emelie Valenciano and converted, making it a 2-1 contest.

79 seconds later, the Runnin' Bulldogs scored their third goal of the game when freshman Maddie Turlington scored her first collegiate goal. Kayla Curatolo attempted a corner kick and placed it inside the six, where Turlington connected to give the 'Dogs a 3-1 lead which they took into the half.

In the final period, the Runnin' Bulldogs controlled the tempo early, as Kleppe and Turlingotn combined to take four shots in the first six minutes but neither player could net Gardner-Webb's fourth goal.

Upstate threatened with less than 15 minutes remaining, but freshman Katelyn Kellogg, who assumed goalkeeping duties in place of Keely Brown minutes earlier, denied the Spartans their second goal by blocking a penalty kick.

In the 84^th minute, Kellogg would save USC Upstate's final attempt on goal to preserve the 3-1 win for Gardner-Webb.

With the win, the Runnin' Bulldogs move to 4-3-2 and 1-0 in the Big South, while the Spartans fall to 4-4 and 0-1 in conference play.

The two teams took a total of 30 shots with Gardner-Webb holding a 16-14 advantage. GWU had five attempts on goal, while USCU had four. Brown and Kellogg made three saves in goal for the 'Dogs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday, September 22 at 7 p.m. when Big South opponent Radford comes to Boiling Springs.