Both teams punch tickets to SAC Semifinal
Date Posted: 11/4/2015
Rock Hill, SC -- First, on the Women's side, The second-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs registered their 12th shutout of the season Tuesday afternoon, prevailing 1-0 against seventh-seeded Newberry College in the opening round of the 2015 SAC Tournament at Manchester Meadows. Wingate improves to 14-1-2 overall, advancing to the SAC Tournament semifinals for the sixth consecutive year. Newberry ends its season at 5-10-2 overall.
The two-time defending SAC Tournament champions, Wingate has now gone undefeated in its last seven SAC Tournament games. The Bulldogs won their first SAC Tournament title in 2011, while going back-to-back in 2013 and 2014. Wingate will look to advance to the SAC Tournament championship match for the sixth straight year on Friday, when the 'Dogs take on the winner of Tuesday evening's Queens vs. Tusculum match. The semifinal contest will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Manchester Meadows.
Wingate wasted little time getting on the board, striking 3:34 into regulation. Freshman forward Kimmi Moore (Hubert, N.C.) was fouled in the box, earning a penalty kick for the Bulldogs. Junior midfielder Kaitlyn Brunworth (Littleton, Colo.) lined one into the right corner, finding the back of the net for the fifth time on the year to make it 1-0.
The Bulldogs held a 5-4 advantage in shots in the opening half, with each team registering two shots on goal.
The final 45 minutes saw Newberry hold a 5-3 edge in shots. The Wolves registered a pair of shots on goal the final six minutes. Elizabeth Gutierrez had her shot stopped by sophomore goalkeeper Alexis Jones (Midway Park, N.C.) with 5:40 remaining. Jones was there to save a Michelle Calmeyn shot with just over three minutes to go.
Newberry finished the night with a 9-8 advantage in shots, including a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Jones had four saves for the Bulldogs, while Rebecca Darly registered one save for the Wolves. Moore compiled a team-high three shots for Wingate.
Next, on the Men's side, the second-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs picked up a 2-0 victory over seventh-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University Tuesday afternoon in the opening round of the 2015 South Atlantic Conference men's soccer tournament at Manchester Meadows. The Bulldogs improve 13-3-2 overall, advancing to Friday's SAC Tournament semifinals. The Bears end their season at 8-8-2 overall.
Wingate advances to the semifinals for the second straight year. The Bulldogs advanced to the SAC title match last season. Wingate will face Lincoln Memorial Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Manchester Meadows. The 'Dogs won 2-1 at LMU during the regular season.
The first half went by scoreless, with the Bulldogs holding a 6-4 advantage in shots, with a 2-1 edge in shots on goal.
Wingate got on the board three minutes into the second half. Senior Gustavo Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil) lined a shot from the top of the box, which was stopped by LRU goalkeeper Zach King. Junior forward Charlie Machell(Newcastle, England) was there to head home the rebound in front of the net. The 2014 SAC Player of the Year now has seven goals this season.
The Bulldogs added to their lead in the 69th minute. A pass from senior midfielder Shaun Gadsby (Newcastle, England) found junior Aksel Juul (Newcastle, England) behind the defense. The 2014 All-SAC and All-Region selection beat the keeper in the lower corner from the top of the box, scoring his fifth goal of the year to make it 2-0.
The Bulldogs ended the night with a 16-10 advantage in shots, with a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeperPablo Jara (Santiago, Chile) had a pair of saves to preserve the shutout. King collected seven saves for the Bears. Sophomore forward Jon Ander (Bilbao, Spain) had a match-high six shots, including four shots on goal.