BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University women's soccer team fell just short against Elon on Thursday night at Greene-Harbison Stadium, with an 84th minute goal by the visitors making the final difference.

GWU started well against an undefeated Elon side, cutting out crosses and attempts into the box by the Phoenix, hoping to spring a counter attack. 41 minutes of locking down the defense and trying to run at every opportunity finally paid off close to halftime, where freshman defender Anya Tribune put the Runnin' Bulldogs in front. Off the feed from senior midfielder Carina Leal, Tribune chipped the Elon keeper, sending the Gardner-Webb bench into a frenzy and the Dawgs into halftime up 1-nil.

The early second half began much the same way, with Elon controlling the ball while Gardner-Webb looked for chances on the counter. Sophomore goalkeeper Stephaine Liu also played to some heroics, with several key saves out of the break. However, an unlucky deflection gave way to a chance for Elon, drawing level 1-1 in the 55th minute.

More heroics from Liu and the Gardner-Webb back-line kept the score tied late into the contest, before the visitors found a winner with just six minutes to play. Elon held out from there to record a 2-1 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Individually, the Runnin' Bulldogs were led by Liu with nine saves and senior forward Julianna Jatkola with a pair of shots while six Gardner-Webb players played the full 90 minutes.

Women's Soccer returns to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. with a visit to VMI