BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb defeated Howard 18-6 in the 2022 season opener. This is the third season in a row that the Runnin' Bulldogs have won their first home game of the season.
 
Also, part of the day's action saw Talen Francis break the career record for goals scored and Jada Preston broke the career record for assists. Each record was broken in the second quarter by the players.
 
The afternoon started with goals from Brittany Sherrod and Lauren Deaver within the first two minutes to claim the lead. The 'Dogs never gave up the lead for the rest of the afternoon.
 
After Howard's first goal in the game, Gardner-Webb's Preston, Eilish Gately, and Ciarra Ashworth went on to each score two in a 6-0 run. GWU used a 5-0 scoring run in the second quarter to stretch out their lead to 13-2 heading into halftime.
 
Gardner-Webb saw five players score their first career goals: Bria Foley, Reese Jones, Rebecca Ferrina, Emily White, and Grace Briggs. Francis and Preston had three apiece. Gately, Ashworth, and Sherrod tallied two, while Deaver added one.
 
Preston led the team in assists with three, and Gately tallied two. Deaver, Vetter, Foley added one apiece.
 
Howard turned the ball over 22 times, 12 of which were forced by the Runnin' Bulldogs. Francis forced three, and Lobas had two. Preston, Sherrod, Vetter, Jones, Danielle Burke, Hailey Carroll, and Ella Straub added one each.
 
Gardner-Webb had 30 groundballs compared to Howard's 11. Burke, Lobas, Sherrod, Deaver, and Maddie Martin finished with three each. Briggs, Francis, Preston, Gately, Vetter, Ferrina, Jones, Ashworth, White, Foley, Lauren Connor, Kathleen Mackey, Aimie Perino, Kyla Pascucci, and Jordan Garrison all added one apiece.
 
The 'Dogs were a perfect 10-10 on clears, while not allowing Howard to convert on three of their 11 opportunities.
 
GWU will play Akron for their next match on Sunday, February 20, looking to improve to 2-1 this year.