BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Gardner-Webb (0-5) jumped out to an early lead but came up just short in a back-and-forth battle Saturday afternoon, falling 8–7 to Sacred Heart (1-5) at Spangler Stadium.

The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the game with strong momentum, scoring twice in the opening minute. Addi Cook put Gardner-Webb on the board first off an assist from Jules Brown, and Emma Duchscherer followed moments later with a goal from Maddie Tredway to give the Dawgs a quick 2–0 advantage.

Sacred Heart responded with a pair of goals to tie the game by the end of the first quarter, but Gardner-Webb regained control in the second. Duchscherer tallied her second goal of the day before Brown added an unassisted score to extend the lead to 4–2. The Pioneers trimmed the margin with a goal in the final second of the half, sending the Runnin' Bulldogs into the break ahead 4–3.

Gardner-Webb continued to find success in the third quarter, capitalizing on two man-up opportunities. Jazmyn Morris buried both chances off assists from Brown, pushing the Runnin' Bulldogs' lead to 6–4 heading into the final period.

Sacred Heart rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring four consecutive goals to take its first lead of the game at 8–6 with just over five minutes remaining. The Runnin' Bulldogs refused to go away, as Tredway converted a free-position opportunity with just over two minutes left to cut the deficit to one. However, Gardner-Webb was unable to find the equalizer before the final whistle.

Duchscherer and Morris each finished with two goals to lead the Bulldogs offensively, while Cook, Brown, and Tredway also added scores. Brown orchestrated the attack with three assists, and Tredway controlled the draw with a game-high 13 draw controls.

Gardner-Webb returns to action on Wednesday, March 11 while playing host to the Butler Bulldogs. Game time is set for 1 p.m. inside Spangler.