BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb men's soccer team will look to defend its crown as it travels to take on the High Point Panthers in the championship game of the Big South Tournament on Saturday, November 15.
Saturday's contest will be the second time the two teams have squared off this year with the Panthers taking a 3-0 win over Gardner-Webb on October 25 in Boiling Springs. That win snapped a three-match losing streak against the Runnin' Bulldogs.
In all, the contest will mark the 27th all-time meeting between the programs while High Point holds a 16-4-6 record in the series.
The Panthers are led by sophomore forward Daniel Lugo, the 2025 Big South Men's Soccer Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Year. For the season, Lugo has posted 12 goals and three assists while leading the conference with 27 points.
High Point comes into the contest ranked No. 9 in the final DI regular season poll and the top overall seed in the tournament. The Panthers took care of USC Upstate, 5-0, to advance to their seventh straight Big South Tournament Championship.
Gardner-Webb also found much success in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament after dominating Presbyterian, 4-nil. The Runnin' Bulldogs make the return trip to the tournament finals where they will look to defend the crown following a 2-1 win over HPU in the finals last season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs are led by sophomore wing Samson Kpardeh who has a team-leading eight goals to go along with a pair of assists. Kpardeh was named to the Big South First Team All-Conference. Graduate midfielder Robbie Lyons has chipped in five goals and a team-best five assists.
Senior keeper Alan Horrocks has played every minute in goal for the Dawgs, compiling 42 saves to go along with 10 clean sheets.
Saturday's match is set to kick off at 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN+. Live stats and video will be available on the men's soccer schedule page at www.gwusports.com.
