ROCK HILL, S.C. – Gardner-Webb secured their first win over Winthrop in school history with a 19-12 triumph to close out the 'Dogs five-game road trip. The team was led offensively by Talen Francis and Jada Preston's five-goal performances.
 
This win marks back-to-back seasons with GWU opening conference play with a victory.
 
Winthrop had the opening goal of the night, and a pair of goals by Bria Foley and Eilish Gately gave GWU its first lead heading into the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, the Runnin' Bulldogs outscored the Eagles 6-2, stretching the team's lead to 5 heading into the halftime break.

Winthrop cut the 'Dogs lead to three with 11 minutes left in regulation, but GWU used a 3-0 run in two minutes to move to a commanding six-goal lead. After the Eagles tallied another pair, Gardner-Webb scored another three unanswered, pushing the lead to seven.
 
Francis tied her season-high in goals, and Preston set a new season-high in this category, each tallying five. Gately, Foley, and Ashworth had a pair of scores, while Lauren Deaver, Brittany Sherrod, and Aimie Perino had one each.
 
Of the team's 19 goals, eight of them were assisted. Preston and Deaver led the team in the stat and finished with two apiece. Francis, Gately, Sherrod, and Jessica Vetter had one each.
 
Winthrop turned the ball over 20 times, seven of which were caused by the Runnin' Bulldogs defense. Heather Lobas was first on the team with two. Francis, Vetter, Danielle Burke, Grace Briggs, and Maddie Martin added one each.
 
Gardner-Webb ended the game with a slight 19-12 advantage in draw controls. Martin had a game-high eight, and Francis finished with five. Sherrod ended the day with four, and Deaver added one.
 
In cage, Burke got her fifth win of the year, collecting six saves during the game.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs have their next game on Saturday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. hosting Furman (1-0) at Ernest W Spangler Stadium.