GREENVILLE, S.C. – Gardner-Webb fell short at Furman on Saturday with three Runnin' Bulldogs finishing with five or more points. The 'Dogs put one of the conference-leaders on high alert multiple time during the afternoon as they went on multiple long scoring stretches to tie it or bring it within a single goal.
Furman scored the first pair of the game, with GWU erasing the deficit to tie it at 2-2. The teams then traded long scoring runs when Furman led 6-2 at one point, before GWU responded with a run of their own to tie it at 7-7. The Paladins notched a quick pair at the end of the half to carry a 9-7 lead into the break.
Gardner-Webb used a 3-0 surge to bring it within one near the beginning of the third. The teams then went back-and-forth in the third for a 17-13 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the fourth with another three-goal spurt to bring it to 16-17 with ten minutes to play. Furman scored more down the stretch to brace their lead and get the win.
Danielle Burke collected eclipsed 500 career saves in the decision today as she finished the day with 13. Her stop with 5:56 left in the game was the one to hit 500. Burke faced 48 shots today with 35 of them being sent on goal.
Foley notched her fifth consecutive game with four goals and dished an assist as well while adding a team-high six draw controls.
Jada Preston led the team in scoring with six points as she had three goals and three assists. On her second dish of the day, she reached 100 for her career to extend her program record in the category.
Rylee Gonzalez finished with a career-high five points in the outing as she had two scores and three assists. Gonzalez' three assists also set a new career best for her.
Aimie Perino had three goals on the day with
Lauren Connor and
Brittany Sherrod adding two apiece themselves.
Heather Lobas had one of her best individual games of the season as she finished with four GBs and three CTs while adding a draw control. Connor led the team in groundballs as she scooped five in the outing to set a season-high and tie her career-high.
Grace Briggs,
Mackenzie Gallery and Sherrod each had a groundball and caused turnover during the action as well.
Gardner-Webb has their next game back inside of Spangler Stadium for a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Winthrop (0-7). This will serve as the home finale for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the 2023 campaign.
