Men’s Soccer Team and Elle Blatchford of Women’s Basketball Named Athletes of The Week

Men’s Soccer Headed to NCAA Tournament; Sophomore Guard Earns Best Scoring Game of her Career

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Sophomore guard Elle Blatchford from the Gardner-Webb University women’s basketball team and the entire Gardner-Webb University men’s soccer team have been named GWU Athletes of The Week.

Blatchford posted a terrific week on the court for the women’s basketball team, averaging 10.3 points per game on over 50% from the field and from three. The Canton, Ga., native saved her best for Nov. 17 at James Madison, with the best scoring game of her career. Blatchford led the Runnin’ Bulldogs with 20 points in 22 minutes, shot 7-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-7 from three, finishing with personal-best marks in points, shooting percentage and made threes in her college career to this point.

Meanwhile on the pitch, Gardner-Webb men’s soccer completed its rise to the top of the Big South Conference, defeating No. 22 High Point for the first Big South title in program history. In the championship game, the ‘Dawgs got an early goal from junior defender Leo Andrade and a second half winner from Aden O’Hara, in route to a 2-1 road win and an automatic berth in the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. GWU will continue its postseason run at Oregon State on Thursday night, Nov. 21.

For all things Runnin’ Bulldogs, stay posted to gwusports.com.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.