Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team picked up their second straight Big South Conference victory on Tuesday evening as they defeated Gardner-Webb 2-1 at Eagle Field.
The Eagles improve to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play, while The Runnin' Bulldogs fell to 3-11 overall and 1-4 in the conference.
Stephanie Benshoof gave Gardner-Webb the early 1-0 lead in the 8th minute courtesy of a free kick. Benshoof was awarded the free kick from 20-yards out after she was tripped by a Winthrop defender. Her shot went blazing through the Eagle wall and by goalie Dimi Poulos into the bottom left portion of the net.
Winthrop had a chance to tie the game in the 11th minute when Tricia Vensel set up Chelsea White with a beautiful pass just outside of the 18-yard box in front of The Runnin' Bulldog goal. White took the shot with her left foot and appeared to be heading into the top right of the goal, but it hit the top post and went out of bounds.
The Eagles would tie the game at 1-1 in the 64th minute after Chelsea Tidwell scored her team-tying third goal with an assist from Kristen Lee. Lee had the ball 25-yards out when she made a through pass by Tidwell and several Gardner-Webb defenders. She made a spin move past one of the defenders and took a sliding shot past goalie Sarah Wyszynski, who was charging towards the ball.
Christine Isabella's first career goal at Winthrop proved to be the game-winner in the 78th minute. Isabella took her initial shot from 10-yards out, which was deflected by Wyszynski. The ball would come down in front of Isabella, who made a move past Wyszynski, and took the shot into the open net.
The Eagles outshot The Runnin' Bulldogs 15-7, including an 8-1 margin in the second half. Winthrop also held an 8-3 advantage in shots-on-goal.
"Gardner-Webb is a very good team," said head coach Melissa Heinz. "We, as a team, did not come ready to play in the first half tonight and Gardner-Webb took that motivation. We came out hard in the second half and that showed on the scoreboard. I'm very proud of our win tonight."
Chelsea White led Winthrop with a total of six shots, while Poulos finished with two saves.
Seven different Gardner-Webb players each had one shot against the Eagles. Wyszynski snagged a total of six saves on the evening.
Winthrop will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 17 as it travels to take on Big South rival Coastal Carolina at 6 p.m.
