BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Cincinnati used a strong second quarter to push past Gardner-Webb 15-9, handing the 'Dogs their first home loss of the 2022 season.
 
After trading early goals in the first quarter, Cincinnati scored at the 9:04 mark to recover the lead and kept it for the rest of the match. Both teams' offenses were stifled for the remainder of the period, not scoring any goals due to three saves from the keepers of each team.
 
In the second quarter, the Bearcats pulled away from the 'Dogs, scoring six unanswered goals to go into the half. During this stretch, Cincinnati had seven different players have either the score or assist on these goals.
 
Gardner-Webb's Lauren Deaver won the opening draw control of the second half and dished a pass to Eilish Gately to open the scoring in the second frame. After Cincinnati responded with a pair of goals, GWU tallied three-in-a-row with goals by Ciarra Ashworth, Jada Preston and Bria Foley.
 
The fourth quarter saw Gardner-Webb win all six draw controls to outscore the Bearcats 4-1 and cut the visitors' lead to six before the final whistle. In the last thirty seconds, defender, Mackenzie Gallery finished a clear attempt for the 'Dogs, stayed on the offensive side, and netted her first career goal.
 
After the score, Martin secured her fourth draw control of the quarter, and the team got the ball to Foley who was fouled by Cincinnati's Sydney Ballow with five seconds left on the clock. Foley scored with two ticks left on the clock off the free-position shot for her second of the day, her fifth of the day.
 
GWU's nine goals, five were off assists. Deaver led the team with two, while Preston, Talen Francis and Aimie Perino added one apiece.
 
The teams split draw controls, each finishing with 14. Martin led all players with nine, while Deaver and Francis added two each. Gately also recorded one for the game.
 
The 'Dogs posted eight caused turnovers, with Martin's career-high 4 leading the way with Heather Lobas adding two.  
 
Gardner-Webb will play their next six matches on the road, starting with American on Saturday, March 5 with a first draw scheduled for 3:00 p.m.