BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University women's soccer team fell to Stetson University at home on Thursday night by a final score of 2-1. Despite a second half push by the Dawgs, the Hatters scored the game winner in the final minute.
 
"The game had everything right; the ups and downs, the things you love about college soccer and you hate about college soccer", said Coach Solberg. "Disappointed. Really gutted to not get the result from the game. I thought it was hard fought by both teams. I thought we deserved the result. I thought we deserved at least a tie. We did have some chances to win it. We have to finish those chances, right. That is the difference between being a good team or not. And we talk about winning the five-minute periods at the start and end of games. We have to finish better. We can't allow a goal in the last 20 seconds. It's really disappointing on that end but give credit to Stetson. They did a great job. They put us on our heels, and we didn't respond well in that transitional moment at the end of the game. But really proud of our team. We gave ourselves every opportunity to win this game. We will respond, and move on, and use this opportunity to get better."
 
Stetson scored the lone goal of the first half in the seventh minute of the match off the foot of Peyton Quinones. Gardner-Webb answered early in the second half as newcomer Anya Tribune scored right in front off a cross from Myla West at 50:53. The 'Dawgs generated several late game chances that could not find the back of the net. With 19 seconds left to play Annika Seem scored lifting the Hatters over the Runnin' Bulldogs to make it a 2-1 final.

"I thought we had great play from several newcomers.", added Solberg. "Kelsey Villatoro gave us great minutes up top, Gigi Sweet in the midfield, obviously Anya scoring the goal. I thought she was super impactful. I'm really happy. She works so hard. All our players do, and it was great to see them shine in that moment. So, proud of our whole team, but love it when players can come in in their first college game."

The Runnin' Bulldogs' next match is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22 at 1:00 p.m. when they face Boston College on the road.