HIGH POINT, N.C. – For the first time since joining the Big South Conference, the Gardner-Webb (12-3-3) men's soccer team has been crowned tournament champions after taking down No. 22 High Point (11-4-2) by the final of 2-1 on Saturday evening inside Vert Stadium.
 
In an evenly contested match, graduate forward Aden O'Hara found the back of the net in the 65^th minute, scoring what proved to be the game-winner for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
On paper, High Point controlled the stats, recording a 12-10 advantage on shots, but GWU placed five shots on goal, compared to four for the Panthers. HPU also earned a 12-4 difference on corner kicks while team saves were even at 3-all.
 
After giving High Point its only loss of the season in conference a week ago, the Runnin' Bulldogs came out fast to begin the first half, notching the game's first goal less than five minutes in.
 
A perfectly placed corner kick found its way into the box before junior defender Leo Andrade collected a ricocheted shot off the woodwork and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
The Panthers looked poised to knot the score at 1-1 at the 15:13 mark, but junior keeper Alan Horrocks came up with one of his three saves while preserving the Gardner-Webb lead. GWU posted two more shots on goal over the remainder of the half, but neither could beat the High Point goalie as the Runnin' Bulldogs took the one score lead into the half.
 
After failing to score on a great look in the 46^th minute, HPU's Lukas Kamrath pushed across the equalizer in the 60^th minute following a header into the lower-90 of the cage.
 
The score would not stay tied long as Gardner-Webb quickly raced back down the field just over four minutes later to give the 'Dawgs the lead once more. A deflected ball found the right boot of graduate forward Lucas Mauro, who found O'Hara for the go-ahead score.
 
High Point had one last look at goal at the 77:00 mark, but Horrocks came up clutch with his third and final save as the Gardner-Webb defense milked the remainder of the clock enroute to the Big South Conference Tournament Championship.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will now await their fate for the 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament as the Big South Conference Automatic Qualifier. The Selection Show will be held on Monday, November 18 at 1 p.m.
 
In addition, Aden O'Hara was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player while teammates Leo Andrade, Max Fisher, and Jalen Moore were named to the Big South Tournament All-Tournament Team.