Lynchburg, Va. – The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs struck for the contest’s lone goal early in the first half, edging the Liberty Flames, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Osborne Stadium.

      Bulldogs forward Marvin Mendy beat Liberty goalkeeper Jeremy Lee to a ball lofted in front of the Flames’ net and scored at 12:16 for a 1-0 advantage. Gardner-Webb then used solid defensive play to record the Big South win.

      Liberty outshot Gardner-Webb, 10-6, and held a 12-2 advantage in corner kicks.

      Flames goalkeeper Lee recorded two saves in the contest, while Bulldogs goalkeeper William Liles made two also.

      Liberty drops to 1-2 in Big South Conference play and 5-6 overall. Gardner-Webb moves to 1-2 in conference and 2-9 overall.

      The visiting Bulldogs fought off an early pressure from the Flames to open the first half. Over a span of three minutes, starting in the seventh, the Liberty attack garnered three corner kicks. However, Gardner-Webb did not allow any shot during the period to reach the goalkeeper.

      In the 13^th minute, forward Craig Swaby lofted the ball at the top of the box into its center in front of the goal. Mendy was able to get a foot on the ball, before Lee could control it, scoring his fourth marker of the year for a 1-0 lead.

      The rest of the half saw neither team able to mount an attack, as both displayed solid defensive efforts. Liberty ended the first half with a 6-2 edge in shots.

      The Flames opened the second half with shots by forward Kevin Mendoza and Kyle Carr during the 49^th minute. Each attempt was easily handled by Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Liles.

      Liberty followed with five consecutive corner kicks, but was not able to get a shot opportunity on any of them.

      Pressing forward during the 85^th minute, Mendoza came free for a shot at the top of the 18-yard box which hit the crossbar and rebounded over the net.

      Gardner-Webb then held possession after a Liberty offside during the 86^th minute to secure the win.

      Liberty next travels to Conway, S.C., for a Big South contest at No. 4 ranked Coastal Carolina, Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.