BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb women's soccer team returned to Greene-Harbison Stadium on Friday night, and Jada Newton broke a 1-1 tie with a goal in the 52nd minute of the contest, leading the 'Dogs past Eastern Kentucky, 2-1.

"I thought we were fortunate to be even after the first half," said head coach Mike Varga. "I challenged the team at the intermission to play harder, and we turned the game around over the final 45 minutes. We played much harder in the second period, which led to more chances and a great team victory."

Eastern Kentucky (4-3) took the first two shots of the match in the eighth minute, and Kylie Thompson converted following a corner kick which was sent into the box. Thompson's second goal of 2018 gave the visiting Colonels a 1-0 lead.

Gardner-Webb (3-3-1) would not remain behind for long, as Stina Kleppe scored via a penalty kick after an EKU handball was called in the box. Kleppe's equalizer, which was her third goal of the season, came in the 20^th minute of the opening period.

Over the final 25 minutes of the first half, Kleppe, Maddie Turlington and Aubrie Jackson all took shots for the Runnin' Bulldogs but were unsuccessful.

Gardner-Webb held EKU to two attempts in the last 25 minutes, despite the fact that the Colonels outshot the Runnin' Bulldogs by an 8-4 margin over the first 45 minutes.

In the second period, Newton quickly put Gardner-Webb in front, taking a pass from Alisha Holcombe and converting from the left side of the field from 18 yards out.

"It took some great passes to be able to score that goal," said Newton. "Scoring that goal was a result of a lot of hard work in practice. This win took all of us and was a great victory. I'm really fortunate to play with these girls."

Eastern Kentucky took three shots over a five-minute span in the second, but all three attempts were saved by Keely Brown, who made seven stops on the night.

The Runnin' Bulldogs controlled the tempo over the final 28 minutes, as the back line of Erin Shamleffer, Emily Jonas, Abbey Smith and Brittany DeLoach continually cleared the ball to the GWU attacking half of the field and did not allow the Colonels a shot attempt.

The two teams each took 16 shots in the contest with 12 of the Runnin' Bulldogs attempts coming over the final 45 minutes of action. Kleppe and Turlington each had four shots for the home squad.

 EKU held a narrow, 8-7 advantage in shots on goal, while taking 11 corner kicks, compared to five for Gardner-Webb.

In goal, Brown stopped seven of eight shots. EKU's Zoe Aguirre made five saves.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action on Sunday, September 9, when they welcome C-USA's Marshall to Boiling Springs. Kickoff between the 'Dogs and Thundering Herd is set for 1 p.m.