Wingate Women crack top-10 in national rankings
Date Posted: 10/14/2015
Kansas City, Mo.----The undefeated Wingate University Bulldogs moved up two spots in the NSCAA Division II women's soccer top 25, ranking ninth in the poll released Tuesday afternoon. Wingate made its first appearance in the rankings on Sept. 22, while jumping to 12th in the following poll, then moving to 11th last week. The Bulldogs are 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the SAC. Wingate is also ranked second in the NSCAA Southeast Region poll.
The Bulldogs are one of only two teams remaining in Division II without a loss or a tie this year. The 'Dogs are the only team in the league ranked in the top 25. Joining Wingate in the top 25 from the Southeast Region is number three North Georgia and 17th-ranked Columbus State.
The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 26-5 on the year. Wingate moved to 7-0 in league play with Monday's 3-0 win against Brevard, getting a goal and an assist from freshman Sophie Jendrzejczyk (St. Charles, Ill.). Freshmen Kimmi Moore (Hubert, N.C.) and Gabby Fleischli (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) also scored. Prior to that, Wingate cruised to a 5-0 win at Coker, getting goals from five different players, with sophomore Mackenzie Cherniuk (Massillon, Ohio) providing the game-winner.
Wingate's fifth SAC win of the year came at Lincoln Memorial, a 2-0 victory. All-Region midfielder KaitlynBrunworth (Littleton, Colo.) scored the first goal, while Moore added a goal in the second half.
Wingate opened the year with a pair of road wins, starting with a 3-2 victory at Lander. Goals from Brooke Howell (Charlotte, N.C.) and Brunworth had the game tied 2-2 in the final minute. Sophomore Taylor Leyble (Jacksonville, N.C.) netted the game-winner with 18 seconds left in regulation to give Wingate a dramatic season-opening win.
The Bulldogs followed with a 2-1 win at Mount Olive. Junior defender Macy Franklin (Conover, N.C.) got Wingate on the board in the sixth minute, while Jendrzejczyk scored the game-winner with less than 20 minutes left in regulation. Jendrzejczyk had a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win against USC Aiken in the home opener, while junior Naomi Matley (Clover, S.C.) also found the back of the net.
Wingate opened SAC play with a 4-0 victory at Mars Hill. Moore and Gabby Caliendo (Orlando, Fla.) scored in the first half, while Leyble added a second-half goal for the 'Dogs. Wingate notched a 2-1 win over Anderson, with senior Victoria Fichman (Matthews, N.C.) netting her first goal in the 14th minute. Fleischli also scored her first career goal for the Bulldogs, who built a 2-0 halftime lead against the Trojans in what was a battle of the final two undefeated SAC teams.
Caliendo sored an overtime game-winner in Wingate's 1-0 victory over Queens. Moore netted a goal in the 70th minute at Newberry, but the Wolves scored the equalizer late to send it to overtime. The 'Dogs prevailed in double overtime on a goal from freshman Caileigh Apicella (Islip Terrace, N.Y.).
Wingate's balanced attack has seen 14 different players score this year, led by Moore with four goals and nine points. Brunworth has three goals and three assists. Jendrzejczyk and Caliendo also have three goals each, while Leyble has two goals and two assists. Fichman is tied for the team lead with three assists to go along with one goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Alexis Jones (Midway Park, N.C.) leads the SAC in goals-against average (0.33) and save percentage (.885). As a team the Bulldogs lead the league in goals-against average (0.61), allowing a conference-best two goals in SAC contests.
Wingate is back in action Wednesday, traveling to UNC Pembroke for a 5 p.m. match. The Bulldogs travel to Carson-Newman Saturday. The Eagles are receiving votes in this week's top 25 poll.