BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Five different players scored for Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon as the Runnin' Bulldogs set a season-high for goals in a match and shutout in-state rival UNC Asheville, 5-0.
"We came out with an intensity tonight that was needed after some difficult matches," said head coach Tony Setzer. "It was nice, not only to see our guys come out with a hunger and get three goals in the first half, but to also increase the lead and limit UNC Asheville's opportunities throughout the match. This gives us some positive momentum as we enter the final stretch of Big South play."
On an overcast afternoon in Greene-Harbison Stadium, Gardner-Webb held a 2-0 lead after just six minutes of play. In the fourth minute, freshmen Abel Gebrekiros and Hendrik Kortgodde connected with Kortgoode controlling the pass and sending the ball into the net to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a lead.
Just two minutes later, a foul in the box gave Gardner-Webb a penalty kick, and Oskar Wang sent the ball past a diving Grant Stidham to put the home team in front, 2-0.
UNC Asheville (3-10-1, 2-4 Big South) was limited to two attempts over the first 45 minutes – one in the 13th minute that was blocked – and another just prior to the 30-minute mark that sailed high of the net.
Gardner-Webb (7-7-1, 4-2 Big South) maintained its two-goal lead, but freshman Kharrel Medza extended the Runnin' Bulldogs' advantage to 3-0 just 66 seconds prior to the half. Kortgodde sent a ball to Medza on the right side of the field, and Medza corralled the pass one-yard from the near post. He fired the ball inside the post for his first collegiate goal.
Thanks to Medza's goal, Gardner-Webb led at the intermission, 3-0.
The score in the second half remained the same for the first 32 minutes, but the Runnin' Bulldogs added two goals in the final 13 minutes to win by five goals, its largest margin of victory of the season.
In the 77th minute, Wang sent a pass to Gebrekiros who sent the ball into the lower right corner of the net from four yards out. Gebrekiros was also credited with Gardner-Webb's first shot on goal in the second half, which came seven minutes prior to his goal.
Petter Johansen netted the final goal of the night for Gardner-Webb in the 88th minute. Medza played a ball back to Johansen who stood 25 yards from the net. The distance was no issue for Johansen who scored his first goal of the year to give the 'Dogs a 5-0 lead.
The Runnin' Bulldogs took 14 shots and placed eight on goal while limiting UNC Asheville to just three shots in 90 minutes. Daniel Husa was not forced to make a single save, while Stidham stopped three shots for UNC Asheville.
Gardner-Webb will be idle until next Saturday, November 2, when they travel to Clinton, S.C. for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Presbyterian.
