BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored two second half goals, but could not break a 2-2 tie after 110 minutes of action against the Georgia State Panthers in Greene-Harbison Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The game was originally scheduled for 6 p.m. but got underway shortly after 7 p.m. due to thunderstorms in Boiling Springs. Soggy field conditions did not stop either team from finding the back of the net twice.
"I thought we had some quality looks tonight and made the most of our opportunities," said head coach Tony Setzer. "We really challenged their goalkeeper, but we just couldn't break the tie. Georgia State got ahead early, but our guys did not quit. I'm proud of the way they kept fighting"
Georgia State found the back of the net in the 34th minute when it earned its first corner kick of the net. The Panthers' Ross Finnie sent a ball to the edge of the box near the far post where it was corralled by Alex Summerfield. Summerfield executed a bicycle kick into the bottom left of the net to put the Panthers up 1-0.
Gardner-Webb recorded its first shot on target off a corner by Oskar Wang in the 36th minute, but the 'Dogs went into the half down by a goal.
Seven minutes into the second half, Pedro Benito netted the equalizer for the 'Dogs. Jorge Salgado sent the ball to Benito who was just outside the 18 on the left wing. Benito dribbled inside the 18 and fired a shot, which glanced off another player and inside the far post.
After a shot by Hendrik Kortgodde in the 57th minute, the next attempt would come from Georgia State's Frank Rosenwald. Rosenwald received a cross from Sora Wakabayashi and finished from just in front of the net, giving the visiting Panthers the 2-1 advantage.
Georgia State's lead was short lived as Wang scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 71st minute. Wang's score came from the edge of the 18 and was placed into the upper 90, tying the match at two. Jonas Olsaker was credited with the assist.
With under 10 minutes remaining, Benji Omungu placed a header on target, but Benito had the best look at a potential game-winning goal. The Cadiz, Spain native fired a shot at Georgia State's Tyson Paul and Paul made a diving save, leaping to his right to stop the ball from landing inside the near post.
After 90 minutes, the teams were deadlocked at two.
The Panthers nearly scored in the first overtime period, but Matthew Fearnley's attempt nicked the top of the crossbar and fell short. The 'Dogs had quality looks from Salgado and Edin Hernandez, but neither player could break the tie.
In the final overtime period, Gardner-Webb's Kortgodde had two teammates surrounding him, while the Panthers had just one defender between the trio. Kortgodde's attempt in the 105th minute, which was the 'Dogs final shot on target of the night, was saved as Paul made a diving stop.
After 110 minutes, the two teams finished deadlocked at two. Georgia State moves to 3-0-2 overall and Gardner-Webb is now 2-3-1.
The Runnin' Bulldogs outshot the Panthers, 19-16, and placed six attempts on goal. Georgia State put three shots on target. Hernandez and Wang led the 'Dogs with three attempts each, and Fearnley took three for the Panthers.
In goal, Husa made a save for Gardner-Webb, while Paul was credited with four stops for Georgia State.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action on Saturday at 7 p.m. when they travel to Fairfax, Va. to play George Mason.
