Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s soccer team opened up South Atlantic Conference play with a 2-2 tie against Mars Hill College Saturday afternoon at the WU Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs play to a draw for the second straight match; they are now 2-1-2 on the season. The Lions are now 3-1-1 on the season as both teams start 0-0-1 in SAC play.

Wingate outshot Mars Hill 28-10 in the match, but the Lions took advantage of an early opportunity in the first half to take a 1-0 lead. At the 8:10 mark of the first half, senior forward Abby Martin (Greer, S.C.) scored on a lead pass from junior midfielder Misha Price (Cary, N.C.).

The Bulldogs had the answer at the 25:23 mark as junior midfielder Izabella Miranda (Plymouth, Mass.) netted her first Wingate career goal on a free kick strike from 20 yards out past Lion sophomore goalkeeper Chelsea Parker (Richmond, Va.), tying the match at 1-1.

The match would remain tied for 33 minutes into the second half until the Lions grabbed the lead back. Martin again found a seam behind the defense, sending a low line drive past Wingate freshman goalkeeper Carly Rives (Matthews, N.C.).

Though the Bulldogs came into the match with only one second half goal this season, Wingate found a way to get the equalizer with three minutes left in regulation. Junior forward Kelly Adams (Indian Trail, N.C.) sent a corner to the front of the box, where senior midfielder Julie Zielinski (Erie, Pa.) flicked on a pass to classmate Kerstin Williams (Summerville, S.C.). Williams took a touch towards the middle and volleyed home her third goal of the season to tie the match at 2-2.

Wingate had plenty of chances in the overtime frames, as they outshot Mars Hill 7-1. The Bulldogs put five of the shots on frame, while one hit the crossbar. In 110 minutes, Rives allowed two goals and recorded two saves. Parker also went the distance, amassing 16 saves. She surrendered two goals as well.

The Bulldogs hit the road on Wednesday, traveling to Savannah, Ga. to take on Armstrong Atlantic State University at 4 p.m. In 2009, the Bulldogs and the Pirates battled to a 2-2 draw at Wingate. Mars Hill will also play on Tuesday, hosting Tusculum College for a 5 p.m. kick-off.

(Wingate University Director of Broadcasting and sports information assistant Ryan Brown wrote this article. Brown is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)