RADFORD, Va. – The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs' winning streak ended at three matches as the Radford Highlanders defeated the 'Dogs, 2-0, on Wednesday evening.

"We came out and created a couple chances early but couldn't capitalize," said head coach Mike Varga. "After Radford scored, we responded with a couple more opportunities near the end of the half but couldn't find the equalizer. We played well enough in spurts but made some mental lapses defensively that cost us. Radford is a good team that finished their chances tonight. 
We will get rested and ready for a very good Longwood team on Saturday."

Gardner-Webb (7-10-1, 6-3 Big South) came out firing with a shot  off the foot of Stina Kleppe in the fourth minute, but it was saved by Courtney Kaplan, and the Highlanders took the lead just two minutes later.

Radford (12-5, 6-3 Big South) scored what would be the game-winner in just the sixth minute of the match when Nelia Perez scored from outside the 18.

Following the Highlanders' goal, the Runnin' Bulldogs had four chances to equalize in the first half. Jada Newton accounted for two of Gardner-Webb's four attempts, and placed one on goal, but it was saved. In the 41^st minute, Kleppe's second shot was on target but stopped by Kaplan.

Radford kept Katelyn Kellogg busy in goal as she made three stops following the Highlanders' goal. The Gardner-Webb back line also blocked a trio of attempts to keep the home team's lead at a single goal after 45 minutes of play.

Early in the second half, Kellogg was credited with her fourth and fifth saves respectively, and the in the 55^th minute, the back line cleared away a ball that hit off the far post.

Despite the work by the Gardner-Webb defense, Radford added a second goal to its total when Perez sent a ball to Brianna Oliver who shot and scored from the middle of the box prior to the 60^th minute.

After Radford extended its lead to 2-0, the Runnin' Bulldogs had seven attempts from six different players, but five of the seven were blocked by a Highlander defender. The lone attempt on goal for Gardner-Webb came off the foot of Kayla Curatolo with only 85 seconds remaining, and it was stopped by Kaplan who made six saves on the night.

Kellogg stopped five shots in the final 45 minutes, including one with less than three minutes remaining when she stood her ground to stop Perez's attempt in a 1-on-1 situation. The sophomore keeper was credited with nine saves in the defeat.

Radford outshot Gardner-Webb, 23-16 and 11-6 in shots on target. The Highlanders had nine corners, while the 'Dogs earned six. For the Runnin' Bulldogs, Kleppe and Maddie Turlington each took four shots, and Gabby Papust led the Highlanders with seven attempts.

With a 6-3 mark in Big South play, Gardner-Webb will prepare for Longwood as it looks to secure a quarterfinal matchup at home. The senior day match is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 and is the second match of a doubleheader with the men's squad kicking off a day of soccer with a 4 p.m. contest against UNC Asheville.