Box Score

Hickory, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s soccer team responded from an early deficit by scoring four unanswered goals en route to a pivotal 4-1 win over the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University Tuesday night at Bears Field. 

The Bulldog rally was carried by three straight goals from sophomore forward Kelly Adams  (Matthews, N.C.), all in the first half. Wingate moves to 10-2-3 overall and 3-2-1 in South Atlantic Conference play with its first road SAC win of 2009. Lenoir- Rhyne falls to 11-6 overall and 2-4 in the SAC.

“The girls played really well tonight,” Wingate head coach Gary Curneen says. “They showed great bounce-back ability to come from a goal down. Our defensive pressure produced a win and some terrific goals.”

The Bears scored in the first twelve minutes on a through ball to Elizabeth Hawes (Valdese, N.C.), who volleyed it by Wingate freshman goalkeeper Miriam Boucher (Calgary, Alberta, Canada). Catherine Hauck (Lake Mary, Fla.) assisted on the play. Wingate needed only eight minutes to net the equalizer as Adams took a cross from classmate Liz Kinney (Moore, S.C.) and delivered a strike from outside the 18 to tie the match at one.

Adams would put away her second match-winner of the season 18 minutes later, this time on an unassisted goal from the right side. The former Porter Ridge High School star would complete the hat trick in the 42nd minute from just inside the box to give the visiting Bulldogs a 3-1 halftime lead.

The halftime respite didn’t cool off the Wingate offense as the Bulldogs struck in the first three minutes to finish the scoring. The leader in assists in the SAC last season, Adams fed a cross to defender Megan Mastalerz  (Elkridge, Md.), who found the back of the net from 25 yards out. The Mastalerz tally is the third goal of her career and first in 2009.

L-R would put pressure on the Bulldogs with eight second half shots, but Boucher kept the period scoreless for the hosts. The freshman goalie finished with four saves, while picking up her third win of the season. Katelyn Burwell went the distance for Lenoir-Rhyne, collecting three saves.

The Bulldogs were outshot 14-10, but held the Bears to no corner kicks while taking three of their own. Six different Bulldogs took a shot, led by Adams with four. Adams, who scored 112 goals in high school, is now tied for the team lead in goals (nine) and continues to lead the team in points (25).

Wingate will face another tough test on the road, as they travel to Greeneville, Tenn. to take on Tusculum Saturday night for a 7 p.m. start. Lenoir-Rhyne will also play on the road next, as they visit Mars Hill Friday evening to face the Lions at 5 p.m.