LEXINGTON, Va. – It took 78 minutes for Gardner-Webb to score, but goals by Jorge Salgado and Abel Gebrekiros in the final 12 minutes helped the Runnin' Bulldogs defeat the VMI Keydets, 2-1, in non-conference play on Saturday.

"We had plenty of chances today, and the guys never stopped working to equalize," said head coach Tony Setzer. "Jorge has been great lately with a goal in each of the last three matches, and Abel made a difference for us today by coming up big in the final minutes. Our back line did a nice job limiting VMI's chances. It was nice to get another win."

Gardner-Webb more than tripled VMI's attempts, taking 19 shots with more than half (10-of-19) being on goal. The Keydets only managed six shots, with five of the six coming in the final period. The Keydets placed three shots on goal, and Daniel Husa saved a pair.

The 'Dogs place four shots on target in the first 20 minutes as Pedro Benito, Oskar Wang and Salgado all put shots on target. Salgado placed another shot on goal in the 35^th minute, but it was VMI that scored first.

Just prior to the half, the Keydets' Brandon Hournung received a pass from Zachary Wiley to put the Keydets up 1-0 at the intermission.

Through the first 30 minutes of the second half, the Runnin' Bulldogs placed just two shots on goal, but the 'Dogs got on the scoreboard in the 78^th minute. Salgado, who took a team high five shots, took pass from Petter Johnasen placed one in the back of the net to equalize. 10 minutes later, Gebrekiros received a pass from Laurits Lillemose and dribbed into the box, went 1-on-1 with VMI's Broden Schull and scored.

Late substitutions in the final two minutes gave both squads fresh legs, but Gardner-Webb was able to keep the ball away from VMI and secure its second consecutive victory.

In addition to Salgado's five attempts, Wang and Benito each took four. For VMI, Hornung took three of the team's six attempts and scored the Keydets' lone goal of the afternoon. Husa stopped two of VMI's shots on target, while the Keydets' Schull saving eight of GWU's 10 attempts on goal.

The win is Gardner-Webb's second of the year and with it the team improves to 2-3-0 overall. VMI is still winless at 0-5-0 thus far.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will continue non-league play when they host the Georgia State Panthers on Tuesday, September 17. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Greene-Harbison Stadium.