Box Score

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior midfielder Luke Mulholland (Preston, England) scored two goals to lead the Bulldogs to a 4-2 South Atlantic Conference men’s soccer victory over Catawba College Wednesday night at the WU Soccer Complex.

The number 19 team in this week’s NSCAA/adidas® NCAA Division II top 25 poll, Wingate picks up its sixth consecutive victory to improve to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the SAC. Catawba falls to 4-5-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the SAC.

An NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II All-America third team last year, Mulholland now leads the Bulldogs with nine points, racking up four goals and an assist on the season. Junior forward Jamie McKenna (Blackpool, England) and freshman midfielder Piero Riva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) also scored for the Bulldogs.

Freshman defender Carson Smith (Mooresville, N.C.) and senior forward Andrew Landry (Oshawa, Ontario) scored for Catawba.

The Catawba Indians struck first, with Smith taking a cross from sophomore forward Deon Cuffie-Joseph (Arima, Trinidad & Tobago) and netting his second goal of the year 4:09 into the first half.

Wingate responded a the 32:19 mark, with Mulholland collecting a lead pass from junior midfielder Jack Vundum (Birmingham, England) and going far post to make it 1-1. The Bulldogs took the lead seven minutes later when a cross from junior midfielder Rory Green (Nottingham, England) was deflected by sophomore midfielder Paul Gallagher (Strabane, Northern Ireland) right to McKenna in front of the net, who scored his third goal of the year.

Wingate added some insurance with 12:38 remaining in the second half, with Mulholland taking a rebound in front of the net and scoring his second goal of the game. The Bulldogs struck again less than a minute later when Riva scored his second goal of the year on a penalty kick, making it 4-1.

Catawba answered back with 8:32 remaining in the game on a strike 18 yards out from Landry, who netted his team-best fourth goal of the year.

The Bulldogs held a 30-6 advantage in shots, including an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. Wingate also held a decisive 11-2 advantage in corner kicks on the night. Wingate junior goalkeeper Joey Calandra (Mount Pleasant, S.C.), the reigning SAC Player of the Week, collected one save to preserve the win for the Bulldogs. Senior goalkeeper Tyler Held (Virginia Beach, Va.) collected seven saves for the Catawba Indians.

The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday, October 7, when they travel to Newberry for a 4 p.m. start. Wingate returns home Saturday, October 10, hosting Brevard at 4 p.m. Catawba hosts Lenoir-Rhyne Wednesday, October 7 at 7 p.m.