Charleston Southern University Athletics
7-7-2, 4-5
Gardner-Webb
5-9-4, 2-5-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charleston So. | 0 | 1 | 1 |
10/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Erica Gazzani scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute and Chelsea Frankeny blocked a shot in front of the net in the final second as Charleston Southern topped visiting Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon at the CSU Soccer Field, 1-0.
The Buccaneers (7-7-2, 4-5) recognized seniors Chelsea Frankeny and Gina Cox at halftime of the game, and the halftime celebration sparked the CSU offense throughout the second half as the Bucs out-hustled the Runnin' Bulldogs (5-9-4, 2-5-2) in the half to take the win.
"Senior Day is always difficult, it is always emotional," said CSU head coach Eric Terrill. "The team gets pulled back and forth. But it is always a fun day too. It was great to get a win for these kids the last time they step on this field.
Gazzani's goal came off of a free kick from 20 yards out with the junior midfielder bending the ball into the left corner of the net off the deflection from GWU goalkeeper Keely Brown to put the Bucs ahead 1-0 midway through the second half.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to battle back in the second half as Gardner-Webb connected on 18 of their 26 shots over the final 45 minutes, but none came closer than Jessica Ferguson's shot on an open net in the final seconds. However, Frankeny stepped in front of the ball and collected it at the goal line as time expired to end the contest in favor of the Buccaneers.
"Gardner Webb is played exceptionally hard," said Terrill. "It was a physical game and both sides were tough today. It was a scattered game because of the emotion and I think that's why it got as physical as it did."
Terrill had nothing but praise for his two seniors following the game.
"Chelsea did a great job for us, not just today, but in her four years," Terrill commented. "She has played upfront for us for three seasons and switched to defense this year. I don't know what would have happened at the end of the game, but she did stop that ball from going in the back of the net."
He continued, "Gina did a great job stepping in, especially in the second half, and really made us push forward more. Those two, emotionally and physically, have done as much as they possible can for this program."
Alyssa Dellacqua stopped all 10 Runnin' Bulldog shots on goal in the contest in recording her third shutout of the season. It was also the third time this year the freshman goalkeeper reached double-digits in saves.
Brown stopped three of the Bucs four shots on goal in the loss for GWU.
The first half primarily went Gardner-Webb's way as the Runnin' Bulldogs outshot CSU 8-3 over the first 45 minutes.
CSU's lone shot on goal in the half came off the foot of Kelsey Fitzhugh, but her opportunity was snagged by Brown in the 33rd minute to keep the Bucs off the scoreboard.
Anna Sells continued her pressure on the net for the Bucs as the junior forward continued a campaign that sits among the Big South's leaders in 2015. The Greenville, N.C. native narrowly missed on a 1-on-1 opportunity in the first half and led the Bucs' offense with six shots, five coming in the second half.
Sells narrowly missed on a trio of shots over a three minute span with her shot in the 71st minute nicking the top of the crossbar.
Gazzani put the Bucs on the board in the 74th minute with her fourth goal of the season to put CSU ahead 1-0.
Gardner-Webb continued to press late in the contest with the Runnin' Bulldogs launching nine shots over the final 15 minutes, but Dellacqua made two saves and the CSU defense blocked four attempts to keep GWU off the board.
Charleston Southern wraps up the 2015 regular season on Tuesday night at Coastal Carolina. Kickoff on the Big South Network at the Coastal Carolina Soccer Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
GAZZANI, Erica (4)
shot off free kick*
73:27
