Cristescu Named Big South Freshman of the Week
October 05, 2026 | Men's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb midfielder Leonardo Cristescu has been named the Big South Men's Soccer Freshman of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Cristescu earned his first career weekly honor following a standout performance in Gardner-Webb's 3-0 victory over No. 22 UNC Asheville on Friday night. The midfielder scored his first collegiate goal in the 71st minute, helping cap the Runnin' Bulldogs' impressive victory over the nationally ranked Bulldogs.
Entering the match off the bench, Cristescu made an immediate impact, recording two shots, both on target, in 29 minutes of action. His goal came just over two minutes after Gardner-Webb extended its lead to 2-0 and marked the third and final goal of the night.
The victory marked one of Gardner-Webb's biggest wins of the season and handed UNC Asheville just its second loss of the campaign.
Cristescu's honor marks the second consecutive week that a Runnin' Bulldog has been named the Big South Men's Soccer Freshman of the Week. Christian Samaripa earned the honor last week.
Gardner-Webb returns to action Tuesday, traveling to Johnson City, Tennessee, to take on East Tennessee State at 6 p.m.
