BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Maddie Turlington scored just 1:44 into the match and added an assist on Gardner-Webb's final goal of the night to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs over the Winthrop Eagles, 3-1, in the team's Big South opener on Wednesday night.

"Maddie was a spark early for us," said head coach Mike Varga. "The thing we've been telling Maddie is to be a little more unselfish, and she can create chances for herself and finish them when she does. There's some disappointment that we couldn't maintain the shutout, but Winthrop came out (in the second half) trying to get back in the game, and they're a good team. We'll take the three points."

Turlington scored her third goal of the season 104 seconds after the opening whistle. Kylie Ameres threw the ball in play, and it landed at the feet of Turlington who dribbled into the box and placed a shot into the upper 90 from four yards out.

Winthrop (2-5, 0-2 Big South) recorded its first shot on goal in the fourth minute of the match, which was one of three attempts it placed on target in the first 45 minutes. All three of the Eagles' shots on goal were saved by Paula Suarez Is.

Gardner-Webb (2-7-1, 1-0 Big South) put a second shot on goal when Ameres aimed one towards the upper 90 in the 12^th minute, but the Runnin' Bulldogs did not threaten to score again until the 36^th minute.

With nine minutes remaining until the intermission, Ella Bianco headed the ball off a corner by Stina Kleppe, but it landed just over the crossbar.

It looked as if the Runnin' Bulldogs would take a 1-0 lead into the half, but Kleppe had other ideas. The Skien, Norway received a pass from Alli Varga on the corner of the 18 and netted her team-high sixth goal just 10 seconds before halftime horn sounded. Her goal gave Gardner-Webb a 2-0 advantage over the Eagles.

Winthrop came out firing in the second half with four shots in the first five minutes, but only one was on goal, and it was stopped by Suarez Is. The Eagles nearly made it a one-goal contest in the 60^th minute, but Alexandra Perez' shot was cleared off the back line by Ameres.

Gardner-Webb took a three-goal lead in the 74^th minute when Turlington passed the ball to Jada Newton on the center of the box. Newton cut past a defender and scored her fourth goal of the year.

Winthrop avoided the shutout when Gabi Hull scored in the 77^th minute, placing one in the upper 90 from just outside the 18.

Suarez Is stopped the Eagles' final shot on target for her sixth save of the night, tying her career-high. Ashlyn Harris made three stops for the Eagles. She dropped to 2-5-0 on the year while Suarez Is has now been the goalkeeper of record in both of Gardner-Webb's victories.

Winthrop took 20 shots and placed nine on goal. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed 19 attempts and put eight on target. Kleppe took a game-high seven shots.

The 'Dogs will continue Big South play on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they host the Hampton Pirates. The game is the first match of a doubleheader with the Gardner-Webb men set to open league play against Longwood at 6 p.m.