Gardner-Webb Men’s Soccer Ranked 3rd in Preseason Poll, Placing Two on All-Conference List

Team Plays First Match on Aug. 22 in Texas; Hosts Six Games at Home This Season

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Heading into the 2024 season, the Gardner-Webb University men’s soccer team has earned two honors. The team was voted third in the Big South Preseason Coaches’ Poll, as released by the Big South on Aug. 14, picking up 48 total points. In addition, the Runnin’ Bulldogs placed a pair of defenders on the 2024 Big South Preseason All-Conference list.

Defenders Leo Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Max Fisher (Widnes, Cheshire, England) earned the recognition for the first time in their collegiate careers. The Runnin’ Bulldogs finished fifth in the conference last season with 34 goals allowed in 17 contests while recording three clean sheets. High Point enters the 2024 campaign as the favorite, earning 62 total points and seven first-place votes. Just ahead of GWU is UNC-Asheville with 51 points. Presbyterian checked in at No. 4 in the preseason poll, garnering 31 points. Winthrop and Longwood round out the top-5 with 30 points.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs begin their season on the road traveling to Houston (Texas) Christian University on Aug. 22. The road trip continues to San Antonio, Texas, for a match on Aug. 25 against the University of Incarnate Word.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ home opener will be on Sept. 1 against Barton College.

The season has Gardner-Webb facing two teams from the Ohio Valley Conference, two teams from the Sun Belt, one from the Atlantic Coast Conference, one from the SoCon, and one from Conference Carolinas. The team will play six matches at home inside the confines of Greene-Harbison Stadium.

“I am extremely happy with the work our staff has done to complete the 2024 Fall schedule,” said Head Coach Scott Wells. “We are yet again testing ourselves against nationally-ranked programs and looking to solidify ourselves as a championship contending program within the Big South. We are 12 months wiser and showing great momentum off the back of our Carolina Cup championship.”

2024 Men’s Soccer Schedule

• Aug. 22 – 7 p.m. at Houston Christian
• Aug. 25 – 7 p.m. at University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
• Sept. 1 – 5 p.m. vs. Barton College, Greene-Harbison Stadium
• Sept. 6 – 7 p.m. vs. Wake Forest University, Greene-Harbison Stadium
• Sept. 10 – 7:15 p.m. at Marshall, Huntington W.Va.
• Sept. 14 – 7 p.m. at Coastal Carolina, Conway, S.C.
• Sept. 21 – 7 p.m. vs. Radford, Greene Harbison Stadium
• Sept. 24 – 7 p.m. at Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
• Sept. 28 – 7 p.m. at Winthrop, Rock Hill, S.C.
• Oct. 5 – 6 p.m. at UNC-Asheville
• Oct. 12 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Presbyterian
• Oct. 15 – 6 p.m. at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tenn.
• Oct. 19 – 7 p.m. at Longwood University, Farmville, Va.
• Oct. 22 – 5 p.m. vs. UAB, Greene Harbison Stadium
• Oct 26 – 6 p.m. vs. USC-Upstate, Greene Harbison Stadium, senior day
• Nov. 1 – 7 p.m. at High Point University
• Nov. 6-16 – Big South Conference Tournament

For more information on the Gardner-Webb men’s soccer team, fans can follow the team on X at @GWUsoccer or on Instagram at @gwusoccer.

Source: 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.