Box Score

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University men’s soccer team exploded with three second-half goals to take a 4-1 NCAA Division II victory over Barton College Wednesday night at the WU Soccer Complex. 

With the victory, the home-standing Wingate Bulldogs improve to 3-1 overall on the young season. Barton falls to 2-4 overall. Three of Barton’s four losses have come at the hands of South Atlantic Conference schools. 

Wingate sophomore forward Paulo Brunetto (Sao Paulo, Brazil) opened the scoring in the 18th minute on an assist from junior midfielder Luke Mulholland (Preston, England). Brunetto shares the team lead with three goals. 

The home-standing Bulldogs pelted the Barton goal with 14 first-half shots, but they could not find the back of the nets. Barton sophomore goalkeeper Brian Riesenberg (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) made seven saves in the opening 45 minutes, including a beautiful over-the-crossbar tap following a rifle shot by Wingate sophomore midfielder Felippe Imperatriz (Sao Paulo, Brazil). 

A few minutes later, Mulholland hit the post from close range. An NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II All-America in 2008, Mulholland will find better luck after intermission. Wingate’s captain scored his first goal of the season in the 53 rd minute. An Imperatriz corner kick found junior defender Paul Grammaticoppoulos (Paris, France), who touched a perfect pass to Mulholland for the score. 

Wingate senior forward Junior Nyemb (Douala, Cameroon) got on the board in the 78th minute, beating Riesenberg one-on-one. The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® candidate matches Brunetto with his third goal of the season. 

Bulldog sophomore midfielder Paul Gallagher (Strabane, Northern Ireland) finished Wingate’s scoring in the 85th minute. Gallagher’s first career goal ricocheted off a Barton defender and found the back of the nets. 

Barton scored 15 seconds later on a bang-bang play. BC freshman forward Justin Taylor (Cary, N.C.) scored his first career goal on an assist from freshman midfielder Keanen Minott (Acworth, Ga.). Taylor’s shot on goal was Barton’s only shot attempt for the evening. 

Wingate outshot Barton 25-1, compiling a 13-1 advantage in shots on goal. BC netminder Riesenberg went 90 minutes, allowing four goals and notching nine saves. Wingate junior goalkeeper Joey Calandra (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) did not record a save Wednesday night. Calanda has allowed only four goals in 360 minutes this season. 

The Wingate Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, Sept. 23, venturing to Lander University for a 7 p.m. contest. Barton begins Conference Carolinas play Saturday night, traveling to Anderson (S.C.) University for a 7 p.m. match-up.