BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb cruised past Johnson & Wales 6-1, behind a second half onslaught Saturday night from Greene-Harbison Stadium.
 
On the night Gardner-Webb honored its seniors, it used a hat-trick performance from senior Owen Zaldivar to overcome a hard-fought effort from the wildcats in the first half.
 
Gardner-Webb went into the break with a 1-0 advantage, but Johnson & Wales quickly erased it, scoring from a set piece just three minutes into the second period.
 
The GWU seniors locked in and put together three goals in 16 minutes to create a 4-1 lead. All three goals came from Zaldivar in his first career hat-trick. Jaylen Orr and Pablo Brimeux would add goals of their own and cap off the scoring at 6-1.
 
Senior Aymane Sordo scored the lone goal of the first half and assisted Brimeux on the final goal of the match. Senior Kyle Mabwa registered two assists, finding Zaldivar twice in the early goings of the second period.
 
Gardner-Webb's defense was also anchored by seniors as Massimo Borlina commanded the back line and Lorenzo Bartoloni defended the net.
 
Bartoloni faced eight shots and posted three saves in the win. His record improved to 1-1-0 on the season.
 
"I am really proud of the way everyone responded tonight," said head coach Tony Setzer. "We got some really good minutes out of our seniors in the second half."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs are next in action Saturday when they travel to Farmville, Virginia, to take on Big South opponent Longwood. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m.