BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The No. 15 Gardner-Webb men's soccer team opened the defense of its Big South Conference title in a big way on Saturday night at Greene-Harbison Stadium, blanking Winthrop 4-0 to begin Big South play in 2025

Gardner-Webb wasted no time on Saturday night, with graduate midfielder Robbie Lyons finding the back of the net in the 21st minute with a brilliant strike into the bottom corner to hand GWU the lead. Not long after it was 2-0 to the Runnin' Bulldogs, when junior defender Breno Correia and sophomore defender Yves Vaage linked up with freshman forward Javan Ochieng in the 35th minute for Ochieng's fourth of the campaign.

The Runnin' Bulldogs were on the front foot from the opening whistle out-shooting Winthrop 7-2 in the opening 45 minutes, and largely in control of any possession. Senior goalkeeper Alan Horrocks was called on in the 24th minute for an easy save to his left, the only save the Merlo, San Luis, Argentina would have to make all evening.

GWU began to wear Winthrop down as the game progressed, with junior midfielder Filipe Moreia scoring his first of the season in the 65th minute. A brilliant team goal from the Dawgs saw freshman midfielder Franco Ocana and Correia once again on the assist, handing Gardner-Webb a 3-0 lead.

Not long after, the Runnin' Bulldogs were in again. A brilliant move freed up graduate forward Matheus Spina for an inch perfect cross into the box, which was met by the head of Lyons for his second of the night. Gardner-Webb took a 4-0 lead in the 71st minute and had the game well in control from there.

Overall, Gardner-Webb out-shot visiting Winthrop 20-5, including 8-1 in shots on target. The Runnin' Bulldogs won a whopping 12 corner kicks to zero for the Eagles, while six different Gardner-Webb players either scored or registered an assist

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The 15th ranked Runnin' Bulldogs jump back into non-conference play on Tuesday night, September 23rd to host Florida Gulf Coast at Grenee-Harbison Stadium