Box Score Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team kicked off its 2010 Big South Conference season with a 2-1 win over the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs on Saturday evening at Eagle Field. It also marks the first victory for Spencer Smith as head coach of the Eagles program.
With the win, Winthrop improves to 1-7-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big South, while the Runnin' Bulldogs drop to 3-6-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
“”I thought our effort for 90 minutes tonight was great,” said Smith. “We responded to their goal in the second half and played well. I liked how we played as a team tonight.”
The Eagles struck first in the 7th minute on Rachel Webster's first goal of the season to take a 1-0 lead over Gardner-Webb. Courtney Durbin had the assist after she dribbled the ball to the far post and caused Runnin' Bulldog goalie Chelsea Hearne to come out the box to defend. That left Webster open in the middle of the 18-yard box, where Durbin made a quick pass and Webster put her open shot past the diving Hearne.
Winthrop added to its lead at 2-0 in the 25th minute of play when Durbin also recorded her first goal of the season. Tricia Vensel got the play started when she beat a Gardner-Webb defender on the near side and dribbled the ball to the outside of the 18-yard box. She made a pass to the middle of the box and Durbin scored on her one-timer. The shot by Durbin went in on the right side of the net.
The Runnin' Bulldogs cut their deficit to 2-1 in the 51st minute on the first goal of the season for Melissa Battista. Battista took a shot from 35-yards out, and dropped the ball perfectly to where Eagle goalie Sarah Schippers could not make a play on it. The ball went over Schipper's head and into the net just under the top post.
Gardner-Webb had an opportunity to tie the contest in the 63rd minute when Meagan Reynolds had back-to-back scoring chances at the top of the goal box. Her initial shot hit off the top post and flew back to her, and the follow-up shot was blocked by Megan Pritts.
Winthrop also had a chance to extend its lead in the 77th minute on a free kick opportunity from the far side. Webster took the free kick and placed the ball 10-yards from the goal, and Lia Gordon jumped to take her shot. Hearne would deny Gordon the goal after going back across her body to make the save.
The Runnin' Bulldogs outshot the Eagles 14-8 in the contest, while Winthrop led in shots on-goal 7-5.
Webster led the Eagles offensively with three shots, all of which were on-goal. Schippers also earned her first career victory in net for Winthrop and finished the evening with four saves.
Reynolds had a team-high four shots for Gardner-Webb and Sonja Kienzler posted three shots. Hearne finished the match with five saves.
The Eagles will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 9 as they travel to face the Liberty Flames at 7 p.m. The Runnin' Bulldogs will also hit the field again on Oct. 9 with a 7 p.m. contest at High Point.
