LEXINGTON, VA - The Gardner-Webb University women's soccer team led late into the second half at VMI on Sunday afternoon but an equalizer and a penalty kick inside the last 10 minutes saw the Runnin' Bulldogs lose 2-1 on the road

It was a tip and tuck contest on a warm afternoon at VMI, with the Runnin' Bulldogs and Keydets combining for just 10 shots on target in the 90 minute game. The final result would come down to who could convert when those few chances arrived. Early on, it looked like that would be GWU, with the 'Dawgs producing the first save of the game from VMI inside of eight minutes.

The two sides traded chances on each end a handful of times in the first half before VMI took hold as halftime approached. Sophomore goalkeeper Stephaine Liu was called into action, making two saves in the final three minutes of the half to keep the same scoreless.

Gardner-Webb responded well in the second half however, finally finding a go-ahead goal in the 66th minute. Senior forward Julianna Jatkola scrambled home a loose ball on the line, poking it over to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 1-0 lead with under a half hour left.

The 'Dawgs held out until the 80th minute, where VMI swung in a corner and seconds later leveled the score. The Keydets then won a penalty just minutes later, completing a comeback and taking a 2-1 lead by the 86th minute.

A pair of final chances for GWU fell over the crossbar in the dying seconds, as the Runnin' Bulldogs fell 2-1.

Gardner-Webb women's soccer now turns attention to SC State, who visit Greene-Harbison Stadium at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening.