www.winthropphotos.com

ROCK HILL, SC- The Winthrop women's soccer team will kick off its 2013 Big South Conference campaign when it travels to Gardner-Webb Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at Greene Harbison Field. The contest will be the first conference game of the year for both teams. Gardner-Webb leads the series 5-4, with Winthrop winning the last three matchups.  

Winthrop (4-1-1) is looking to go back to their winning ways after tying The Citadel 2-2 last Wednesday night in Charleston. The Lady Eagles will head to Boiling Springs with a scoring offense that is ranked 4^th in the nation. Junior forward Krystyna Freda leads the team in every offensive category including goals (8), points (17) and shots (43). The Big South Pre-season Offensive Player of the Year also ranks 2^nd in the nation in points per game (2.83) and goals per game (1.333) and falls in the top- 25 in the nation for total goals. The Lady Eagle's defense has held their opponents to only 37 shots on goal, led by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Amelia Henderson. Henderson has made 30 saves and earned a goals against average of 1.19.

Gardner-Webb (2-5-1) hopes to rebound from a 3-1 loss against Troy Friday night. Goalkeeper Amy Schmitt made a career high 15 saves to keep the Runnin' Bulldogs in the game. GWU's offense is led by sophomore Shelby Hooe who has five goals and three assists this season. Head Coach Kevin Mounce is currently in his 14^th year at Gardner Webb and has led the team to have winning seasons six of the last nine years.