Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s soccer team scored two goals in the first 20 minutes and made the lead stick, taking a 2-1 South Atlantic Conference victory over Catawba College Monday night at the WU Soccer Complex. Wingate sophomore midfielder Izabella Miranda (Plymouth, Mass.) had a goal and an assist for the victors.

With the triumph, Wingate inherits first place in the SAC standings. The Bulldogs are 4-1-3 overall and 2-0-1 in the SAC. The Catawba Indians are 5-2-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the SAC. Wingate hits the road Wednesday, visiting Newberry College for a 7 p.m. SAC match. Catawba steps out of league play the same night, entertaining Pfeiffer University for a 7 p.m. contest.

Miranda scored in the fifth minute on an assist from junior forward Kelly Adams (Matthews, N.C.). The Adams pass found Miranda wide open on the left side. The Brandeis transfer responded, finding the back of the nets for the second time this season.

Wingate freshman defender Chelsey Horan (Waxhaw, N.C.) took a Miranda pass and scored from close range at the 19:27 mark. Horan also has two goals this season. She tallied the match-winner at Tusculum College Sept. 25.

Catawba cut the deficit in half in the 73rd minute, thanks to a goal from freshman midfielder/forward Athena Bless (Asheboro, N.C.).Classmate Juliana Conte (Hampton, Ontario) assisted on the play. Bless put a right-to-left shot in the back of the nets for her fourth goal of the season.

Wingate outshot Catawba 12-6, including a 9-1 advantage in the first half. Bulldog sophomore goalkeeper Miriam Boucher (Calgary, Alberta) earned her second victory of the season, allowing one goal and posting one save. Indian junior goalkeeper Lindsay Webster (Hopkinton, Mass.) took the loss; she surrendered two goals and recorded five saves.