Triguero, Kreuzpeintner Lead GWU to Thrilling Victory over USC Upstate
October 17, 2026 | Men's Soccer
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Tim Kreuzpeintner found the back of the net in the 88th minute to cap a dramatic late comeback, lifting Gardner-Webb to a thrilling 5-4 victory over USC Upstate Saturday night at Greene-Harbison Stadium.
With the victory, the Runnin' Bulldogs improved to 7-4-1 overall and 4-1-0 in Big South Conference play, while USC Upstate fell to 4-10-0 overall and 2-3-0 in conference action.
Nico Triguero led the Gardner-Webb attack with a hat trick and an assist, scoring three goals to power the Runnin' Bulldogs' comeback. Triguero opened the scoring in the 12th minute before converting a pair of second-half penalty kicks to keep Gardner-Webb within striking distance. Tim Kreuzpeintner added two goals of his own, including the game-winner, to complete the thrilling victory.
Gardner-Webb struck first in the 12th minute when Triguero found the back of the net to give the Runnin' Bulldogs an early advantage. USC Upstate responded in the 27th minute to even the score at 1-1 before taking its first lead in the 65th minute.
The Runnin' Bulldogs answered quickly, with Kreuzpeintner leveling the contest in the 67th minute. The two teams continued trading goals throughout the second half, with USC Upstate's Oscar Kelly scoring twice and adding an assist to help the Spartans remain in contention.
After falling behind 4-3 in the 73rd minute, Gardner-Webb refused to back down. Triguero converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute to draw the Runnin' Bulldogs even once again, setting the stage for the late-game heroics.
With time winding down, Kreuzpeintner delivered the decisive moment in the 88th minute, finishing a sequence assisted by Triguero and Jorge Garcia Munoz to secure the 5-4 victory and cap an exciting Big South contest.
The match featured plenty of offensive action, with Gardner-Webb holding a 25-19 advantage in shots and a 10-8 edge in shots on goal. The Runnin' Bulldogs also earned 10 corner kicks compared to five for USC Upstate. The physical contest featured five yellow cards between the two sides.
UP NEXT
- Gardner-Webb returns to action Tuesday, Oct. 20, traveling to Buies Creek, N.C., to face Campbell in the final nonconference match of the season.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
