Defending Big South Conference Men’s Soccer Champs Kickoff Season with Home Exhibitions

Runnin’ Bulldogs Face a Grueling 15-Game Regular Season, with Seven Conference Matches

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Head coach Scott Wells and the defending Big South Conference Champion Gardner-Webb men’s soccer team have announced the schedule for the upcoming 2025 season. The Runnin’ Bulldogs made history last season, compiling a record of 13-4-3 while also going unbeaten in conference play (5-0-2) before winning the program’s first-ever Big South Tournament Championship. GWU went on to take down Oregon State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

This year’s slate includes three exhibitions to begin the year before a grueling 15-game regular season, including seven matches within the Big South Conference.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs kickoff the season with home exhibitions against Columbia International and Coastal Carolina on Aug. 8 and 11, respectively, before traveling to take on Charlotte on Aug. 15 in the team’s final warm-up of the preseason.

Gardner-Webb begins its title defense and start  of the 2025 regular season with four straight away from home, beginning with James Madison on Aug. 21. The ‘Dawgs then take on Drexel at JMU Aug. 24 before closing out the road swing with trips to Davidson on Aug. 29 and West Virginia on Sept. 3.

East Tennessee State will visit Boiling Springs on Sept. 6 for the home opener before the Runnin’ Bulldogs play host to Furman on Sept. 12. A quick stop in Nashville, Tenn. to face Lipscomb on Sept. 16 will bring GWU back home for the Big South Conference opener versus Winthrop on Sept. 20 followed by a visit from Florida Gulf Coast on Sept. 23.

Gardner-Webb visits Presbyterian on Sept. 27 before hosting the Lancers of Longwood on Oct. 3. The Runnin’ Bulldogs hit the road for the next three games, starting with an out-of-conference match, but with Wofford on Oct. 7, followed by Radford on Oct. 11 and Upstate on Oct. 18.

A rematch of the Big South Tournament Championship looms for Gardner-Webb on Oct. 25 while a road match at UNC-Asheville wraps up the regular season. The Big South Tournament begins on Nov. 5 with quarterfinal action before the semifinals and finals take place on Nov. 8 and 15, respectively.

For up-to-date schedule changes and team news, please visit www.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.