Box Score (PDF)

Boiling Springs, N.C. – Sydney David netted her first career goal late in the second half to break a scoreless tie and lead Gardner-Webb to a 1-0 victory over USC Upstate Sunday evening from a rainy Greene-Harbison Stadium.

David received a cross from the right side of the field from Shelby Hooe in the 74th minute and volleyed a left-footed shot that found the back corner of the Upstate net.

"Give Gardner-Webb credit for capitalizing on a scoring opportunity, but we had a defensive lapse that allowed them to take the lead," USC Upstate head coach Abby Minihan said. "With that being said, I thought our back line played very well considering all the pressure they faced throughout the match."

Upstate keeper Ellen Bright faced 21 shots and made a game-high six saves to up her season total to 23.

Upstate missed a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the second half on a shot from midfielder Haley Gethin. Gethin fired a shot from several yards outside the Gardner-Webb box that forced keeper Keely Brown to make a leaping save. Brown was unable to corral the ball initially and it trickled away from her grasp, allowing Upstate junior Rachel Baylor an opportunity to shoot the rebound over the goal line. Brown, however, managed to gain control and possess the ball just before Baylor was able to make contact.

"We really struggled playing in the middle third of the field tonight," Minihan added. "We tried different lineups and formations to try to get something going offensively, but I think tonight was just one of those unlucky nights where the ball just didn't seem to bounce our way. I though the effort and motivation from our team was there, but for some reason we just couldn't keep possession on a consistent basis."

Upstate returns to action Thursday at 7 p.m. when the Spartans travel to Greenville, S.C., to face in-state rival Furman from Stone Soccer Stadium.

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