News

Wingate women's team is heading to the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight year

Date Posted: 11/10/2015

Indianapolis, Ind.----The NCAA Division II women's soccer tournament field was announced Monday night and for the fifth consecutive year, the Wingate University Bulldogs have earned a bid. The Bulldogs will be the number four seed in the NCAA Southeast Region, facing fifth-seeded Armstrong State in Friday's opening round at 4 p.m.

South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament champion Carson-Newman is the number one seed and one of two hosts. Peach Belt champion Columbus State is the two seed, followed by third-seeded North Georgia. Wingate and Armstrong are fourth and fifth, with Limestone earning the six seed.

Wingate and Armstrong will meet in the opening round Friday at Carson-Newman. The winner will face the Eagles Sunday. Should Wingate win in the opening round, it will set up a third meeting with the Eagles this season. The winner of the North Georgia vs. Limestone contest will play at Columbus State Sunday. Wingate and Armstrong met in the opening round match last year, with the Bulldogs prevailing 1-0 to advance to the regional semifinals.

Wingate had never earned an NCAA Tournament bid before 2011. The Bulldogs have not missed a tournament since the 2011 season. The 'Dogs earned their first-ever bid after winning the 2011 SAC Tournament. Wingate's first-ever at-large bid came in 2012, while SAC tournament championships in 2013 and 2014 earned automatic bids for the Bulldogs. Wingate was the host school in 2013, winning the first regional title in program history. The Bulldogs would go on to host the NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matches in 2013.

Wingate enters the NCAA Tournament with a 15-2-2 overall record. The Bulldogs played in the SAC title match for the sixth consecutive year. Wingate is led by All-SAC midfielder Kaitlyn Brunworth (Littleton, Colo.), who leads the team with six goals and 15 points. Honorable mention All-SAC selection Kimmi Moore (Hubert, N.C.) has five goals on the year. The Bulldogs have seen 15 different players score this year.

Wingate's defense has been dominant this season, allowing only seven goals in 19 games. The Bulldogs lead the SAC in goals-against average and shutouts, allowing only 8.1 shots per game. The defense is led by all-conference selections Macy Franklin (Conover, N.C.) and Mackenzie Cherniuk (Massillon, Ohio). Sophomore goalkeeperAlexis Jones (Midway Park, N.C.) earned first team All-SAC honors, leading the league and ranking in the top five nationally in goals-against average and save percentage.

NCAA Southeast Region Schedule
Friday, Nov. 13
4 p.m. #4 Wingate vs. #5 Armstrong State (at Carson-Newman)
5 p.m. #3 North Georgia vs. #6 Limestone (at Columbus State)
Sunday, Nov. 15
1 p.m. WU-Armstrong winner at #1 Carson-Newman
1 p.m. NG-Limestone winner at #2 Columbus State