CHARLESTON, S.C. - Anna Sells delivered with the golden goal in the final 12 seconds of the first overtime period as Charleston Southern topped Gardner-Webb on Saturday evening at Patriots Point on Senior Day.

Sells intercepted a pass from Chloe Urig at the top of the box and dribbled to her right before uncorking a low, line drive shot past a diving Amy Schmitt and into the lower right corner of the net, bringing the CSU team flying off of their bench in celebration as the Buccaneers topped the Runnin' Bulldogs in what had been a defensive stalemate the majority of the match.

"The girls stepped up to the plate tonight," commented head coach Eric Terrill following the win. "I think we controlled the game and really kept pushing the pace. It was a huge win for us and they never quit."

Charleston Southern improves to 7-10-1 overall with the win, improving to 4-6 in Big South play, while Gardner-Webb falls to 3-14-1, 1-9 in conference action with the loss.

Late in the overtime period, after a scramble in front of the net, Chloe Urig's shot attempt at the 99:36 mark was deflected off the Gardner-Webb defense. Her second attempt was brought down by Sells and the freshman forward connected on her third goal of the season to end the night and bring the crowd to their feet.

"I can't say enough about Anna and this freshman class," commented Terrill about his freshman forward. "They've all been out there battling for us, fighting through injuries and they are going to be stellar for us."

Caitlin Cody recorded her third consecutive shutout in a row for the Bucs defense with the redshirt junior goalkeeper peaking at the right time in the season, stopping six GWU shots on goal in the contest in picking up the win.

"Caitlin did a great job for us tonight," Terrill had to say about the team's defensive effort. "She really stepped up and was commanding. It really starts with her confidence out there on the field."

Schmitt faced an onslaught of Buccaneers shots during the match as Charleston Southern outshot Gardner-Webb 26-15 overall in the match, and nearly proved to be Cody's equal, recording 10 saves in the loss.

The defenses set the tone early in the match as the Gardner-Webb backline stonewalled three consecutive Chelsea Phillips' shots in the first 10 minutes of the match, while the Buccaneers defensive efforts added blocks on Tori James and Megan Loftin shot opportunities in the first half as neither team was able to find the back of the  net. Charleston Southern out-shot the Runnin' Bulldogs 9-6 over the first 45 minutes, but neither team was able to score, sending the teams into the locker room tied at 0-0.

The second half was one full of opportunities for both squads as Charleston Southern had two free kicks from the top of the GWU goal box. The first attempt from Sells at the 68:25 mark was saved by Schmitt, while Stephanie Hand's free kick was also turned away by the GWU goalkeeper at the 71:55 mark to keep the shutout intact.

Cody turned away a free kick opportunity by Shelby Hooe at the 79:57 mark as the defenses continued to assert themselves. CSU had two shots blocked by the Gardner-Webb defense in the second half, while Gardner-Webb was also blocked twice by the Bucs backline to send the teams into the overtime period.

With both sides needing the golden goal to end the match, Gardner-Webb struck first as Loftin fired a shot 34 seconds into the period, while Justine Ibarra added a shot at the 93:43 mark, but both attempts sailed wide of the mark.

Chelsea Frankeny added a shot for the Bucs at the 95:40 mark, but her attempt glanced off the side of her foot and sailed wide left as the teams looked to head into the second overtime period before Sells' game-winner.

The Buccaneers' victory puts Charleston Southern in control of their own destiny on Tuesday evening when CSU makes the trip up to Conway, S.C., to take on regional rival and Big South foe Coastal Carolina, as the Bucs need at least a tie to outright clinch a berth into the 2013 Big South Conference Soccer Championships. Kickoff between the Bucs and the Chanticleers is set for 7 p.m.