BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - #5 Gardner-Webb will face #4 Campbell in the first round of the Big South Tournament in Buies Creek today. This is the first time GWU has made the tournament since 2016, coming off their best season in school history.
 
Previously this year the Camels came away with the win against the 'Dogs. The final score for the matchup on April 13 was 12-8, with Campbell scoring the first three of the second half to pull away and claim the win.
 
After this matchup, Gardner-Webb collected three consecutive wins to clinch a spot in the Big South Tournament but dropped their season finale against High Point. For Campbell, they started Big South play 7-0, but dropped their last two games against Furman and Mercer, sending them from a first-round bye to a first-round game.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs have had nine players score in double figures for points this year. They had been led on this side of the field by All-Big South performer Jada Preston with 46 goals and 23 assists this season. She set new school-records in season goals and points. Lauren Deaver has been another steady presence for the team scoring 25 times and dishing 25 assists, with the assist being a new single-season high for GWU. Eilish Gately, the third on the attack line for GWU has netted 34 goals and 10 assists.
 
On the defensive end of the field, the 'Dogs had three players selected as All-Conference performers. Maddie Martin to the First-Team and Heather Lobas and Danielle Burke to the Second-Team. Martin finished the year with 48 groundballs, 21 caused turnovers, and 108 draw controls. The latter being a new single season school record in the stat. Lobas was named All-Big South for the second consecutive year leading the team with 30 caused turnovers. Burke was the first goalkeeper from GWU to earn a spot on an All-Conference Team collecting 150 saves this year and 57 groundballs.
 
Campbell had four players earn spots on the All-Conference Teams. Sam Bischoff earned the inaugural Midfielder of the Year award while teammate Rebekah Taylor was the Defender of the Year. The Camels also had the Scholar-Athlete of the Year in Megan Matthews. Campbell has had one of the toughest defenses in the conference during Big South play, causing 13.44 turnovers per game, the best in the conference.
 
First draw for the game will be 2:00 p.m. this afternoon with it streaming live on ESPN+.