BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb dropped their season opener to Cincinnati on a misty Sunday afternoon by a final score of 20-9. The Runnin' Bulldogs held the lead after the first 15, but the Bearcats went on a slew of scoring stretches in the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters to get the win.
 
GWU's Brittany Sherrod opened the year's scoring total with an unassistaed goal less than a minute into the game. Cincy responded with one of their own, but Sherrod added her second of the day off a Bria Foley assist during a woman-up opportunity. Foley shortly after got her first score of the day as well.
 
The teams then traded goals with GWU leading 4-3 after the first. Emma Duchscherer registered her first career goal early in the second quarter to put the 'Dogs up by two. Cincinnati scored the next six, with each team scoring 3 after the Bearcats' run. The visitors kept up the pressure in the second half to get the win and not allow a potential GWU comeback.
 
Foley led the team in scoring with three followed by Sherrod having two. Aimie Perino, Mackenzie Gallery, Alera Cornett, and Duchscherer finished with one apiece. Foley and Rylee Gonzalez each dished an assist during the afternoon.
 
Heather Lobas scooped six groundballs for the game high. Grace Briggs and Emma Meyer each added three. Briggs was a big disruptor for the Bearcats' attack as she caused a career-high five turnovers. Lobas caused a pair while Gallery, Duchscherer, and Lauren Connor each forced one.
 
Both teams struggled on clears with Cincinnati converting 8-13 with GWU good on 10-16. Cincy finished with a 19-14 margin on draw controls being led by Dani Mlkvy's 13 with GWU's top performer from the circle being Sherrod with six.
 
Gardner-Webb will be on the road for their next two games where they will face ACC opponents. The first is Sunday, February 19 at Duke which will be followed by Clemson on Wednesday, February 22.