BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's soccer team earned a draw on Saturday evening with Charleston Southern, with graduate midfielder Ayse Demirci scrambling home the equalizing goal inside the final five minutes on senior day at Greene-Harbison Stadium.

Chasing a result against one of the top teams in the Big South Conference standings, the Runnin' Bulldogs wasted no time in senior day. Graduate midfielder Abby Clark found the back of the net inside 12 minutes, finishing the cross from junior defender Camila Lezcano to give GWU a 1-nil lead.

Riding a strong defensive and goalkeeping performance, the Runnin' Bulldogs would lead for the next hour of game time. Sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Liu added to one of the nation's best tallies in front of the Gardner-Webb defense, making 12 saves on the night.

The visiting Buccaneers managed to turn the game around just seconds apart, scoring in the 74th and 76th minutes to take a stunning 2-1 lead. The first goal was perhaps unkind to the Runnin' Bulldogs with a close handball call and a lengthy VAR review leading to a Charleston Southern penalty.

Losing a lead that GWU held for nearly the entire game didn't become a deterrent however, and Gardner-Webb struck back. After a missed penalty in the 84th minute, the Runnin' Bulldogs continued to push forward and eventually found a reward.

Demirci deflected a clearance from the Charleston Southern six-yard box back on goal, sliding the ball over the line and sending the GWU team into a frenzy. The leveler was Demirci's first goal of the season and the first of her entire Gardner-Webb career, on senior day nonetheless, to tie the game at 2-2 in the 86th minute.

From there, the Runnin' Bulldogs held off a late push by Charleston Southern to earn a 2-2 draw.

Next up, Gardner-Webb women's soccer hosts UNC Asheville at Greene-Harbison Stadium on Wednesday night, October 16th.