Charlotte, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs notched their eighth straight win Tuesday night, defeating the Queens University of Charlotte Royals 3-2 in NCAA Division II men’s soccer action at the Queens University of Charlotte Sports Complex at Marion Diehl Park. Wingate improves to 11-2 overall, while Queens falls to 4-9 on the season.

Sophomore midfielder Piero Riva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) scored the first of his two goals in the 13th minute. Senior midfielder Luke Mulholland (Preston, England) fed a sprinting Riva the ball on the right side. Riva put it away, giving Wingate an early 1-0 lead.

A Riva header in the 54th minute gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 edge. Wingate senior midfielder Jack Vundum (Birmingham, England) recorded the assist. Queens answered less than a minute later (56:20) with a penalty kick goal from Justin Ferguson.

Royal Jeremy Chambers netted his third goal of the season (67:01) to tie the game at two. Wingate answered 19 seconds later, when sophomore forward Gui Lima (Sao Paulo, Brazil) got the rebound from a Vundum penalty kick and netted the match-winner for the Bulldogs.

Queens took seven shots to Wingate’s 16. Wingate won the battle for corner kicks 5-4. Queens and Wingate were whistled for a combined 29 fouls. Queens goalkeeper Giancarlo Aristondo finished the game with five saves, while Wingate’s Joey Calandra (Charleston, S.C.) tallied one.

The Royals are back in action at home on Saturday against UNC Pembroke at 7:30 p.m. Wingate returns to the WU Soccer Complex Saturday, hosting Lenoir-Rhyne University for Senior Day. The kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.

(Thanks to Queens assistant SID Phylicia Turner for her help with this article.)