KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State defeated Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon 18-10 in the team's nonconference season finale. The 'Dogs now sit at 4-4 on the year.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored the opening goals of the day with each coming from Jada Preston in the first quarter. KSU tied the game at 2, but Talen Francis and Preston had a goal apiece to reclaim the lead. The Owls tied the game again, but Eilish Gately scored late in the quarter for the 'Dogs to be up 5-4.
 
Kennesaw State went on to score seven unanswered goals in the second and third quarters. The Owls held the 'Dogs scoreless for 25 minutes to get this advantage and held an 11-5 advantage with seven minutes left in the third.
 
Francis and Preston ended the scoring drought for GWU. KSU tallied another flurry of goals to push their lead to ten, the largest of the day. Bria Foley and Francis each netted one in the last minutes of the game to cut into the lead.
 
Francis and Preston each had four goals. Foley and Gately scored one apiece. Francis also added two assists with Lauren Deaver having one.
 
Gardner-Webb collected more groundballs than KSU, 18-16. Danielle Burke had five to lead the team. Francis ended the game with three. Preston, Gately, and Aimie Perino each finished with two. Deaver, Lauren Connor, Heather Lobas, and Ella Straub had one apiece.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs forced eight turnovers; Francis and Deaver tied for most on the team with two each. Lobas, Connor, Grace Briggs, and Maddie Martin finished with one apiece.
 
The teams played tough from the draw control circle with the Owls claiming a narrow 16-15 advantage on the day. Martin and Francis each had four. Deaver finished with three, and Emily White had two. Gately and Ciarra Ashworth collected one apiece.
 
Gardner-Webb now will turn its attention towards conference play. The team's Big South opener for 2022 is at Winthrop on Wednesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Eagle Field.