ANNAPOLIS, Md. – For the first time in the regular season the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs were shutout, as the Navy Midshipmen defeated the 'Dogs, 1-0, in women's soccer action on Thursday.
 
"Navy is a quality team, and this is a tough place to play," stated head coach Mike Varga. "We started slow and struggled early, but I thought we began to play better in the final five minutes of the first half, and then that carried over into the second half. We didn't create much and found ourselves defending quite a bit, but we kept ourselves in the match and had a chance to equalize late."
 
Gardner-Webb (0-6-1) placed its first of two shots on target in just the sixth minute when Jada Newton attempted a header. Newton's header was saved by Navy keeper Sydney Fortson, who punted the ball towards Navy's attacking third.
 
When the Midshipmen gained possession, Victoria Tran received a throw in and shot the ball inside the near post at a low angle, putting the Mids up 1-0 over Gardner-Webb.
 
Stina Kleppe took Gardner-Webb's final attempt of the first half, a shot that sailed high of the goal in the 15^th minute. Sophomore keeper Katelyn Kellogg made two three saves in the first 45 minutes.
 
A 36-minute lightening delay with 7:38 remaining in the first half seemed to slow the momentum of both squads. After the delay, neither team was able to take a shot, and the Runnin' Bulldogs trailed by a goal at the half.
 
Navy (6-1-0) came out firing in the second half, and took the first six shots of the half, all of which came in a 15-minute span. Of their six attempts, the Midshipmen placed three on goal, but all three were stopped by Kellogg who made a total of eight saves in 90 minutes.
 
In the 72^nd minute, Emily Jonas placed a shot on goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs, but it was Gardner-Webb's final shot on target of the evening. Kleppe had her shot blocked in the 74^th minute, and GWU's attempts in the final minute were all off target.
 
Newton earned a corner kick with 46 seconds left, and Ayse Demirci was able to gain control and fire a shot off the corner, but it was high of the net. As the clock expired, Kleppe sent one last ball towards the net, but it landed wide as the Midshipmen held on for the one-goal victory.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs took seven shots to Navy's 18. Of GWU's seven attempts only two were on target. The Mids placed 9-of-18 attempts on goal, and Kellogg stopped eight of the nine attempts. Navy's Sydney Fortson stopped both of Gardner-Webb's shots and received credit for the shutout.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will begin a four-match homestand on Sunday when they host UNCG at 6 p.m. The 'Dogs will also host South Carolina State (Sept. 20) and Big South opponents Winthrop (Sept. 25) and Hampton (Sept. 28) as part of the homestand.