ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop women's soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory Wednesday evening over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, sending the Eagles into sole possession of first place in the Big South standings.

With the victory, the Eagles improved to 7-2-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference while Gardner-Webb fell to 5-4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big South.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was played evenly on both sides with each squad firing seven shots on goal.  Winthrop put three on frame while the Bulldogs forced two saves.  The best chance for the Eagles came in the 16^th minute.  Gabi Hull sent a shot on goal from 18 yards out which forced the Gardner-Webb to make a diving save to her left.

Winthrop was finally able to break through in the 68^th minute.  After dominating possession early in the second half, Allie Thomas found a little bit of space just inside the 18-yard box.  She cut the ball to the inside and took a left-footed shot towards goal that ricocheted off a Gardner-Webb defender and with the goalie going the opposite direction, found its way into the net.

Only minutes after the Thomas goal, the game was delayed due to lightning in the area.  After the stoppage, Gardner-Webb threw everything it had at the Winthrop net.  Over the last 20 minutes. Kelly Horan made four saves to keep the Eagles in the lead and Winthrop had to battle until the final whistle for the victory

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Gardner-Webb finished with a 15-13 advantage in shots over the Eagles.  Horan finished with eight saves while the Bulldog goalie finished with five.  Each team earned five corner kicks in the match.
Thomas' goal came on her only shot of the match.  Gabi Hull finished with four shots, putting three on frame while Megan Loveland had two shots.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
Winthrop heads away from home for its next contest.  The Eagles will travel to Buies Creek, NC on Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest against the Campbell Camels.