RADFORD – Heading into the second overtime Sunday afternoon, senior Justine Dugger (Purcellville, Va./Notre Dame Academy) had a pair of free kick opportunities, but nothing to show for her efforts.

The third time, however, was the charm.

Dugger's direct kick six minutes into the second overtime was good for the golden goal, and led Radford to a 1-0 win over Gardner-Webb in Big South women's soccer at Cupp Stadium.

It took some self-convincing to get the job done on her third try.

“I was thinking, I have to do this for my team, I have to do this right now,” Dugger said.

The golden goal for the Highlanders (8-7-0, 5-1-0 Big South) was the third in their last four games, and lifted Radford to its fifth win in the last six games.

Time and time again, of late, the Highlanders have been up to the task when extra time is needed.

“We haven't been finishing in the beginning and we're having to wait until the last minute with all that pressure on us,” Dugger said.  “I guess with all the pressure, we've found a way to finish it.”

After a scoreless first overtime period, the Highlanders were awarded the direct kick chance just outside the penalty box in the 106th minute, and Dugger knocked the try into the top near side corner of the net to give Radford the win.

The goal was Dugger's fourth of the season, and came in her final home game and during Senior Day activities, where the program honored Dugger, Jill Boyer (Severn, Md./Old Mill), Jackie Cozza (Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field), Amanda Heins (Sterling, Va./Dominion) and Caitlyn Roan (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam).

“Today, we played in a game with a lot of pressure on us, and we played quality soccer,” head coach Ben Sohrabi said.  “It's the right kind of intensity that you want going into the end of the season.”

Radford kept up the intensity all game and outshot the Runnin' Bulldogs (9-7-0, 3-2-0) 23-11, including 14-4 in the second half.  Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Samantha Rupert was forced to make 10 saves, with eight coming in the second half, including a leaping stop on a shot from Roan that was just under the crossbar in the 72nd minute.

Despite the opportunities for the Highlanders, neither they nor Gardner-Webb could find the net in regulation.  Sunday was the kind of game Sohrabi said that he expects the rest of the way.

“It shows you not only that there's a lot of parity in our conference, but it shows you that every team has a chance.

“There's going to be lots more overtime, 1-0, and 2-1 games left.  I was proud of the kids for stepping up in that situation.”

Today's game closed out the home schedule for Radford, which travels to Liberty on Saturday at 7 p.m.   Gardner-Webb hosts Presbyterian in Big South play on Friday night.