GREENVILLE, S.C. – After two Big South Conference matches last week, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Furman Paladins in non-conference action on Tuesday night.

"Furman is a tough team to match up with," said head coach Tony Setzer. "We have to give them credit. We had some chances on our attacking third and were able to limit them from having a lot of attempts, but unfortunately they were able to convert, and we just couldn't net the equalizer. We'll regroup and continue to get better before hosting Radford next week."

Neither team managed much offensive possession in the early portion of the opening period. In fact, the first shot of the contest came in the 19^th minute off the foot of Furman's Lawrence Wyke.

Wyke placed the ball inside the right post for his third goal of the season, and the Runnin' Bulldogs spent the remainder of the half searching for the equalizer.

Gardner-Webb's leading goal scorer, Jack Hoey, nearly tied the game in the 27^th minute, but his shot hit off the post and was unsuccessful.  

After two attempts by the Paladins were wide of the net, Hoey took another shot with 45 seconds remaining in the half, but it was saved by Furman's Ben Hale, and the Paladins held a 1-0 lead at the intermission.

The Paladins took the first shot of the second period as Wyke looked to net his second goal of the game, but his attempt was wide of the net.

Hoey took Gardner-Webb's third, shot in the 69^th minute, and two minutes later, Ismael Guerrero had a shot on goal and earned the Runnin' Bulldogs back-to-back corner kicks,but could not help the 'Dogs even the score.

The final attempt for the Runnin' Bulldogs came from Petter Johansen, but his shot was blocked in the 80^th minute, and Furman held on for the 1-0 victory. 

In goal, Grant Glorioso made three saves for Gardner-Webb. The Paladins' Ben Hale made three saves and recorded his second clean sheet in the past four matches.

The Runnin' Bulldogs were outshot by the Paladins, 9-4. Furman attempted five corners, while Gardner-Webb earned three.

Gardner-Webb drops to 1-6-1, while the Paladins are now .500 with a 4-4 overall record.

The 'Dogs will return to action on Wednesday, October 3, when they resume Big South Conference play against the Radford Highlanders in Boiling Springs. The match is set for 6 p.m. at Greene-Harbison Stadium.