CLINTON, S.C. – Freshman midfielder Franco Ocana and sophomore wing Samson Kpardeh each scored a goal in the first half while the No. 12 Gardner-Webb (8-1-1, 2-0) men's soccer team picked up a 2-0 win at Presbyterian (3-4-3, 0-2) on Sunday evening.
Gardner-Webb held a massive 21-1 advantage on shots, including 11 on goal. Kpardeh led all players with seven shots while Ocana added four in the win. Senior keeper Alan Horrocks picked up his seventh clean sheet of the year after playing all 90 minutes with one save.
The Runnin' Bulldogs controlled the pace early in the first half as it did not take long for GWU to score after Ocana found the back of the net for the second time on the season in the 15th minute. Sophomore defender Jalen Moore added the assist for the Dawgs.
After a pair of shots were turned away by the PC keeper, Kpardeh doubled the lead for Gardner-Webb at the 36:45 mark of the opening half, taking a beautiful feed from Ocana, who secured his third point of the match.
Gardner-Webb dominated the first 45 minutes of play, recording 12 shots, including five on goal, while not allowing the Blue Hose to get off any looks at cage. Tim Baerwalde did his part to keep PC in the game, coming up with three saves to keep the halftime deficit at 2-nil.
Half number two proved to be a draw, but the Runnin' Bulldogs had more than enough production t come away with the conference win.
Gardner-Webb returns to the pitch on Friday, October 3, playing host to Longwood at Greene-Harbison Stadium in a Big South Conference showdown. Kickoff for that contest is set for 6 p.m.
