Winthrop women’s soccer will play its final home game of the season Saturday, hosting Gardner-Webb at 1 p.m. at Eagle Field in Rock Hill.
The Eagles enter the matchup with a 4-9-1 overall record and a 1-4 mark in Big South Conference play. Gardner-Webb is 5-7-2 overall and 2-2-1 in conference action.
Winthrop hopes to build on Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Presbyterian College, which secured the Eagles’ first Big South win of the season. Lila Bowers scored twice for her first collegiate goals, while Monssi Avila-Gutierrez and Ashley Ross also found the net.
Goalkeeper Mia Ruffalo recorded six saves against Presbyterian to earn her fourth shutout of the season, the second-highest total in the conference. Avila-Gutierrez leads Winthrop with five goals this season.
Saturday’s contest marks the 25th meeting between the programs. Gardner-Webb holds a 12-10-2 advantage in the all-time series, although the teams played to a scoreless draw last season in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
Winthrop’s last victory over Gardner-Webb came at home in 2023. The recent series has been closely contested, with neither team winning by more than two goals since 2019.
Saturday’s match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live statistics available online.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
