MAYER'S OVERTIME WINNER PUSHES RU PAST GWU IN BIG SOUTH OPENER

BOX SCORE Follow @RadfordMSOC | Tweet #RadfordMS

RADFORD, Va. - Joe Mayer scored a game-winning goal with 1:43 remaining in the first overtime period at Cupp Stadium on Saturday night to lead Radford to a 2-1 victory over Gardner-Webb in the Big South opener for the Highlanders.

The goal, Mayer's team-leading sixth this year, was his third game-winner on the season as he took a pass from Luis Grande and buried a low strike to the far left-side post to push the Highlanders to 4-3-2 on the season. Radford is now 5-0-1 in its last six conference openers and 4-0 under head coach Marc Reeves.

"This is a conference game, so every night there are three points on the line," Reeves said of his team's win. "This was a group effort, a team effort, and a full roster effort tonight over a real strong, talented, and well-coached Gardner-Webb team."

After a scoreless first half which saw the Highlanders control play and outshoot the Runnin' Bulldogs 9-4, Bernardo Ulmo put Radford ahead in the 55th minute. Stephen Hudgens played a perfect ball from the back to a breaking Ulmo, who chipped a shot from 30 yards over GWU's charging keeper, Matthew Swan.

It was Ulmo's third goal and Hudgens' second assist of the season.

The lead did not last long, however. Gardner-Webb (4-5-1, 1-2-0) scored 1:15 later when Denzel Clarke found a loose ball in front of the Highlander net and snuck a shot past RU keeper, Dane Wilson. The score stayed tied throughout the remainder of regulation time.

Wilson was stellar in goal all night despite missing out on a shutout. He recorded seven saves, including a pair of quality stops in overtime to keep the game alive for Mayer's winner.

"Dane had a couple of big stops," Reeves said. "But if you are going to get a win against a quality team, you are going to need big saves from your keeper."

The defensive effort for the Highlanders stepped up in the second half holding the Bulldogs to a single goal when the visitors led in shots 11-5 and 4-3 in the extra period. Reeves mentioned the outstanding play of Matt Janssen at center back, and lauded Daniel O'Keefe, who moved into tonight's starting lineup in place of Jo Vetle Rimstad, who turned an ankle earlier in the week at practice.

"We scored two fantastic goals," Reeves said. "I am really proud of the way we finished. We got a couple finishes at the right time."

Radford remains at home to face Big South rival Longwood on Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Tweet #Will2Win

Print Friendly Version