BOILING SPRINGS – Playing its second of three exhibitions prior to the official start of the 2022 regular season, Gardner-Webb men's soccer battled Elon to a nil-nil draw on Tuesday afternoon for the final time this preseason at Greene-Harbison Stadium in Boiling Springs.
 
An equal back-and-forth between two teams that each reached the semifinals of their respective conference tournaments a year ago, Gardner-Webb nearly pulled out a victory over the Phoenix if not for a late game-winner called back due to an offsides call that negated the go-ahead score. 
 
Despite the draw, however, the final score showcased a dramatic year-over-year improvement for head coach Tony Setzer's squad that fell to this same Elon team by a 4-1 margin during an equivalent preseason meeting just one season ago.
 
"We are making progress," explained Setzer. "With so many new players and a new addition to the coaching staff, I am pleased that we keep growing each day. Effort and intensity were excellent, but the only thing we lack is the familiarity of playing together."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs finished with a total of eight shots overall, with three of those being put on goal. The Phoenix tallied seven shots overall with two on target, both of which resulted in GWU saves.
 
With one final preseason tune-up still remaining prior to the onset of the regular season, Gardner-Webb will return to action this Saturday, August 20 when the Runnin' Bulldogs travel to Columbia, S.C. to face the ACC's Gamecocks of South Carolina at 7 p.m.