CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Jada Newton scored in the 28^th minute, but Western Carolina netted two second-half goals, including the game-winner with 59 seconds left, causing Gardner-Webb to leave Cullowhee with a 2-1 loss.

"The match was the opposite of Thursday," stated head coach Mike Varga. "We started well but didn't have a good second half. We played a good team that didn't play early in the weekend, and our fatigue showed. We also lost our way a bit in the second half. We got caught playing in a manner not consistent with how we need to play, and a lot of credit goes to Western Carolina for that."

Gardner-Webb (0-2-0) controlled the tempo through the first five minutes with Anna Fish and Alisha Holcombe combining to take four of the game's first five shots. Both players recorded a shot on goal, while WCU placed on shot on target, but it was saved by Paula Suarez Is in the 9^th minute.

Newton scored her first goal of the year in the 28^th minute to put Gardner-Webb on top, 1-0, but Western Carolina threatened, earning a with a corner kick and shot on goal in the 42^nd and 43^rd minutes respectively. Suarez Is stopped the attempt just prior to the half to preserve the 1-0 lead for the visitors.

Western Carolina (1-0-0) quickly equalized as the second half began. Just two minutes into the final half, the Catamounts' Julia Winter placed one in the back of the net to even the score at one.

The Catamounts would take three additional shots over the next 10 minutes with Winter's second attempt of the half being the only shot on target, and it was scooped by Suarez Is who made seven stops in goal.

Gardner-Webb's first attempt of the final half did not come until the 71^st minute when freshman Vilma Rydell fired an errant shot left of the net.

Holcombe took a shot in the 78^th minute and earned a corner for the Runnin' Bulldogs as they looked to pull in front of the Catamounts for the second time. Gardner-Webb was unable to get anything going off the corner, and the score remained knotted at one.

Holcombe's attempt would be the Runnin' Bulldogs final chance of the night.

It looked as if the match as headed for extra time, but Western Carolina threatened starting in the 86^th minute and scored the game-winner with 59 seconds left.

As WCU began to pressure the 'Dogs, Gardner-Webb successfully defended a WCU corner and Suarez Is stopped a shot off the foot of Aliyah Milicia in the with 2:20 remaining in regulation.

The Catamounts earned their ninth and final corner kick of the evening in with less than 90 seconds remaining, and Summit Dann was able to find the back of the net following the corner kick, handing the Runnin' Bulldogs the heartbreaking loss.

Gardner-Webb managed just seven shots in 90 minutes, compared to more than double for Western Carolina. Suarez Is made seven saves in goal for the 'Dogs, and the Catamounts' Natalia Icen stopped a pair.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will regroup and turn their attention to next Friday's home opener against Georgia Southern. Kickoff between the 'Dogs and Eagles is set for 7 p.m. from Greene-Harbison Stadium with the action airing live on ESPN+.