BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Graduate forward
Lucas Mauro netted his first two goals of the season while junior forward
Elias Khodri continued his points streak to start the season, leading the Gardner-Webb men's soccer team to a 3-1 win over Barton on Sunday evening. The game was called in the 73
rd minute due to inclement weather.
"I was really happy with the performance by our guys," said head coach Scott Wells. "We wanted our guys to be more vertical and I felt we did that today with the 19 shots. Barton's keeper had a great game and made some top saves, but overall our group kept to the plan with what we have been working on all week."
Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time this season, it was no surprise the Runnin' Bulldogs came out with a lot of energy while pushing Barton back on its heels early in the first 45.
Sophomore midfielder
Tiago Campos put the first shot on goal for GWU in just the third minute of action, setting the tone for the home team. After two more shots that missed the mark, Mauro pushed the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead with his first goal of the season following a short corner.
Although Gardner-Webb continued to apply pressure, the Bulldogs staved off several attempts to go down by two scores. However, that all changed in the 35
th minute as Mauro connected on a free kick from the right wing for his second of the game.
Barton trimmed the deficit in half with a goal late in the first half, but the Runnin' Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead into the halftime intermission.
Khodri, with an impressive point streak to begin the season, took it upon himself to extend the Gardner-Webb lead just over four minutes into the second half. Freshman forward
Philip Nicoletti was able to garner an assist on the third goal of the game for GWU.
That proved to be all the scoring needed for the Runnin' Bulldogs as "Mother Nature" put an end to the contest in the 73
rd minute, giving Gardner-Webb a 3-1 win.
Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Friday, September 6, playing host to the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. inside Greene-Harbison Stadium.
