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BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb tallied three first half goals en route to a 3-0 victory over the USC Upstate women's soccer team in a lightning shortened contest on Sunday night at Greene-Harbison Field.

"We started the game timidly as we battled nerves and gave up some soft goals," said head coach Renee Lopez.  "However, I am proud of how the girls battled back in the second half and started to create some offense.  This was definitely a learning experience for our young team."

GWU (1-0) recorded its first goal of the contest in the 25^th-minute when Dawn Rollyson capitalized on a misplayed ball by the Spartan defense.  Rollyson scored again, putting the Runnin' Bulldogs up 2-0 in the 39^th-minute. 

Katie Soles scored the final goal of the half and the match in the 42^nd-minute when she put her shot from 22 yards out in the back of the net.

Upstate (0-1) goalkeeper Rachel Collins (Raleigh, N.C.) got the start in goal for the Spartans, but Sarah Plantz (Cartersville, Ga.) played the final 27:51 between the pipes and didn't allow a goal.

With less than 20 minutes to play, the match was halted due to lightning and was ruled an official contest a few minutes later with the threat of lightning expected to last through 9:30 p.m.

Upstate managed just five shots in the match and just one shot on-goal.  GWU tallied 10 total shots and had four on target.  The Runnin' Bulldogs took three corner kicks in the match compared to two for the Spartans.

Each team committed four fouls in the match and GWU was called for four offsides penalties.

The Spartans will return to action on Friday night when they host Wofford in the home opener at County University Soccer Stadium.  Kick-off between the two Spartanburg schools is slated for 7 p.m.