SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA - Gardner-Webb (10-1-1) continued their impressive season with a 2-1 victory over Wofford (5-6-1) on Tuesday evening in a tightly contested non-conference match. The Runnin' Bulldogs extended their winning streak to three games while handing the Terriers their first loss in three matches.
Filipe Moreira put Gardner-Webb ahead in the 45th minute just before halftime, capitalizing on a well-worked attacking sequence. Wofford equalized through Declan Mettee in the 64th minute, with Nathan Simes and Samuel Byron providing the assists. The decisive moment came in the 66th minute when Samson Kpardeh restored Gardner-Webb's lead off a feed from Tiago Campos.
The first half saw Gardner-Webb establish control early, with Javan Ochieng testing the Wofford defense with three dangerous shots in the opening 15 minutes. The visitors' pressure continued as Franco Ocana and Alejandro Carrillo both created scoring opportunities. Wofford's defense, anchored by Jakob Andersson, weathered the early storm despite Gardner-Webb earning multiple corners. The half was marked by physical play, with Andersson and Edvin Laangdahl both receiving yellow cards for the home side.
The second half intensified as both teams pushed for victory. Wofford made tactical adjustments at the break, subbing out Sam Diebold and shifting their formation. The changes paid dividends when Mettee found the equalizer, but Gardner-Webb's response through Kpardeh proved decisive. The final twenty minutes saw Wofford press forward desperately, with Bear Rice and Alejandro Moreno both coming close but unable to find another equalizer.
Gardner-Webb dominated the statistical battle, outshooting Wofford 20-5 overall, with four shots on target to Wofford's three. The visitors also held a decisive 6-0 advantage in corner kicks. The match's intensity was reflected in the card count, with Wofford receiving four yellow cards to Gardner-Webb's two.
Individual performances shaped the outcome, with Kpardeh particularly influential for Gardner-Webb, recording four shots including his game-winning goal. Lewis Johnson controlled the midfield before being substituted in the 66th minute, while Breno Correia anchored the defense effectively. For Wofford, Declan Mettee's goal highlighted his impact, while Nathan Simes showed creativity in attack before exiting in the 79th minute.
Tactically, Gardner-Webb's high-pressing approach disrupted Wofford's build-up play throughout the match. The visitors' wing play through Ochieng and Carrillo created consistent threats, while Wofford's counter-attacking strategy produced dangerous moments but ultimately lacked the final touch.
The victory maintains Gardner-Webb's exceptional form, having won three straight matches while conceding just one goal. For Wofford, the loss ends their two-game winning streak but showed promising signs in their second-half performance.
Looking ahead, Gardner-Webb travels to Radford for a crucial conference match on Saturday afternoon, while Wofford hosts Mercer on Friday evening. Both teams will aim to carry forward the positive aspects of their performances in this competitive encounter.