BOILING SPRINGS, NC. | The Alabama State University soccer team dropped a hard-fought road match Sunday afternoon, falling to Gardner-Webb 3-1.
 
"This is a better building block from the way we played on Friday," head coach Jodie Smith stated. "We took an early lead, but we still need to win balls in the air to be successful."
 
The Lady Hornets (0-2-0) struck first when Teaggan Ilela was able to convert a free kick just outside of the box into a goal in the seventh minute.
 
Gardner-Webb (1-1-0) answered with a goal from Aubrie Jackson after she was able to score courtesy of a Stina Kleppe corner kick in the 16^th minute. The Bulldogs picked up their second goal in the 34^th minute as Maddie Turlington's cross to the near post was kicked in by Ty Snell to extend the advantage to 2-1.
 
The Bulldogs were able to extend the lead in the second half with a goal in the 75th minute from Jada Newton, who was able to split a pair of defenders for the final goal of the contest.
 
Alabama State was held to six total shots, including two on goal that came off the foot of Ilela. Goalkeeper Gianna Guyot faced 8 shots on goal, making 5 saves for the Lady Hornets.

Alabama State will return home and practice before its home opener on Friday as the Lady Hornets play host to Samford at the ASU Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm.
 
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