COLUMBIA, S.C. – Despite a goal from Jorge Salgado, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs came up short against South Carolina on Tuesday night as the Gamecocks scored in the 93^rd minute to win the match in overtime, 2-1.

"Pedro Benito had some nice looks early, but I thought we started slow as a team," said head coach Tony Setzer. "It was a different story in the early minutes of the second half, but unfortunately we weren't able to maintain the lead late. You can't give a good team like South Carolina a penalty kick, but even after they scored our guys never stopped fighting. We'll work towards getting a positive result and focus on Furman now."

Gardner-Webb's (0-2-0) attempts early were few and far between. Pedro Benito placed shots on goal in the 10^th and 23^rd minutes, but they were the 'Dogs only looks of the opening half. The Runnin' Bulldogs did limit South Carolina to four attempts in the first 45 minutes, but the Gamecocks earned five corners.

South Carolina (1-1-0) was unable to get anything going off the corner kicks, and Daniel Husa saved South Carolina's lone shot on goal in the first half, which came off the foot of Tucker Monheimer in the 37^th minute.

After the two teams went to the locker room scoreless, Gardner-Webb quickly broke the tie once the referee's whistle began the second half.

Just 1:32 into the final half, Salgado scored his first collegiate regular season goal off an assist from Oskar Wang to put the 'Dogs ahead by a goal.

Alain Delgado nearly gave Gardner-Webb a 2-0 lead in the 57^th minute when he fired a shot towards the upper 90, but it was saved by South Carolina keeper Buenyamin Yusufoglo. Edin Hernandez (65^th minute) and Simen Olsen (74^th minute) each had shots on goal.

Husa was not challenged until late in the half as he made her second save of the contest in the 77^th minute. Two minutes later a foul in the box by Gardner-Webb meant a penalty kick was awarded to South Carolina, and Brian Banahan successfully converted and tied the contest at one.

Each team took one shot over the final minutes of regulation, and after 90 complete minutes, the two teams needed extra time to decide a winner.

In overtime, Wang placed a shot on target 64 seconds into overtime, but it was saved. South Carolina's needed just one attempt to score as Monheimer was successful in the 93^rd minute to give the Gamecocks the victory.

Gardner-Webb managed 12 attempts to South Carolina's nine, and the 'Dogs placed eight on target. Samuel Catherall and the GWU back line limited USC to four shots on target. Wang led the 'Dogs with four attempts, while Monheimer took four shots for South Carolina.  The Gamecocks held a 7-5 advantage in corners. In goal, Husa stopped two shots, and the Gamecocks' Yusufoglo saved seven attempts.

Gardner-Webb will turn its attention to the Furman Paladins and Friday's home opener. The match is set for 6 p.m. in Greene-Harbison Stadium and will be streamed live on ESPN+.