Saturday, November 11, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Gardner-Webb continues to make history this season, as they advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, tying with the UAB Blazers 1-1, and advancing in a 3-1 shootout.

The Bulldogs showed no signs of nervousness, as the ‘Dogs came out on queue, controlling the ball and breaking through the UAB defense in the third minute of the match.

Sophomore Miguel Pinzone chased down a loose ball 25 yards out in the center of the field. Pinzone then found a cutting Chris Salvaggione in front of the left front post, who then made a one touch pass to a cutting Richard Godfrey in front of the net who put a shot into the back of the net giving the ‘Dogs an early 1-0 lead.

The Blazers’ Lukasz Kwapisz tried to tie the score up in both the 10th minute and the 15th minute, as his first shot was stopped by GWU’s keeper Tyler Kettering. Kwapisz’s second shot was taken just outside the right post, but he knocked the ball into the side of the goal and out of bounds.

In the penalty kick shootout, redshirt-sophomore keeper Dane Geraci stopped three of the four Blazers shots, to help the Bulldogs advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament winning the shootout 3-1.

The Bulldogs three points in the shootout came by way of seniors Jamie Miller and Hughes and second-year player Salvaggione.

Kettering’s nine saves moved him into history once again, as he became the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Time Career Saves Leader.

The Bulldogs (9-7-4) will take on Clemson on Wednesday night, November 15 at 6 p.m. in Clemson, S.C.