The floodlights at Paul Lorenz Field have gone dark for the rest of 2024, as the Beavers bow out of the NCAA championship, being upset by the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, 1-0.
Bulldogs winger Caio Hughes scored the game-winner in the 72nd minute, as he finished a cross from point-blank range, tallying the only goal of the match. This goal would carry the Bulldogs to an unexpected upset victory in their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2006.
“We are terribly disappointed,” head coach Greg Dalby said post-match, as the second-year head coach and his group were unable to match last season’s program-best playoff campaign.
Both sides had quality chances in the first half, with Sergi Solans, reigning West Coast Conference Freshman and Offensive Player of the Year, seeing an early bid denied from close range.
Fabian Straudi and Alejandro Silva also had chances in the first half, with Straudi’s strike from 12 yards blocked, and Silva firing just wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Substitute Ellis Spikner, fresh into the match, nearly put the Beavers in front late in the half, after latching onto a measured pass from Solans.
His effort went right towards Bulldogs goalkeeper Alan Horrocks, keeping the score 0-0. Another chance not taken by the Beavers.
Despite the Beavers creating the better openings, the Bulldogs remained neck-in-neck throughout the first half, creating several good chances of their own, and frustrating the Beavers faithful in attendance.
The mood at Lorenz turned even more sour when the Bulldogs took the lead with 20 minutes to go.
With unrelenting pressure from the Beavers in the final 15 minutes, an equalizer never came from the Beavers, as the final buzzer sounded and the Bulldogs celebrated the upset win in front of the distraught Beavers support.
Dalby recognized the hardship on his group following last season’s historic run, saying, “The pressure of filling expectations from last year is important to acknowledge…I am really proud of them. It’s hard to see that perspective right now, and I am bitterly sad for them. They have a lot to be proud about.”
Despite the scoreline, the Beavers performed well, out-shooting their opponents, which Dalby recognizes.
“I think we created enough chances to win the game tonight,” Dalby said.
The Beavers were arguably the better team, but were unable to take their chances throughout the match, a similar outcome to their final regular season game, a 3-2 loss on the road in Portland.
With the season unceremoniously over for the Beavers, there is nothing to do but look forward.
“The program is in a great spot,” Dalby said. “I’m excited for the future.”
Despite the optimism going forward, and a historic season with broken records, the sting of this defeat will last a long time for the Beavers.
“We wish we were moving on,” Dalby said.
Gardner-Webb travels to take on the University of Denver on Sunday as the NCAA tournament will continue without last year’s semi-finalist Beavers.