Savannah, Ga.----As we boarded the bus at the Wingate Soccer Complex Thursday morning at 8 a.m., our yawns quickly turned to smiles. The Wingate Softball team and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) group gave us a little send-off with survival packages and some posters. It was a great way to start the trip, as it not only energized our group, but also let us know of the support we have from our friends on campus.

We arrived in Savannah at 1 p.m. and headed straight to the soccer field at Armstrong for a practice session. The plan for the session was simple – let’s enjoy every minute of the
experience, but let’s not waste it. We pride ourselves in our preparation; we always use the day before the game to make sure the girls are physically ready, are comfortable with the game plan and are confident to carry it out. Nerves will play a part in our trip here, so we want to use that energy in a positive way. We work on pattern plays and then pick on the goalkeepers for 20 minutes with some shooting. The shooting drills are always high tempo, explosive and the competition to beat our keepers gets everyone going.

After relaxing at the hotel for a few hours, we took a team dinner to Carrabba’s in Savannah. Team dinners have become very important for our team this season. Cell phones are left on the bus and everyone interacts and enjoys the experience – and some good food. Even at this late stage in the season, we can still work on becoming closer as a group and spending time with each other off the field in a relaxed setting helps this. As we got off the bus tonight and the players went to their rooms, the message to the team was simple – rest up because you are going to need it!

We know that North Georgia will be a tough game today. I coached against North Georgia head coach Chris Adams in 2005 at Wingate University. It was both of our first seasons as we began building our respective programs. Six years later, we face each other in the NCAA Regionals – a first for both coaches and programs. It is just as exciting for the coaching staff as it is for the players. We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, but we both know it is going to be a difficult game. For the Bulldogs, we will make sure we keep doing the fundamentals - hard work, focus, defensive minded at all times and that bit of quality in the attacking areas. This is what has brought us success so far and hopefully can bring us another step forward today!

GARY CURNEEN

Wingate University graduate Gary Curneen (Wingate class of ‘03) is in his seventh season as head women’s soccer coach in 2011. During his seven seasons as head coach, the Bulldogs have compiled an 81-44-7 overall record. This year, Wingate is 16-3 overall and the Food Lion SAC tournament champions for the first time in school history. In the 2010 season, the Bulldogs went 13-3-3 overall and 7-1-1 in the SAC, good for a third-place finish in the league standings. The Bulldogs also made their first-ever appearance in the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament championship game during the 2010 campaign.
 
WINGATE SPORTS WEEKLY

The Wingate University Bulldog Club sponsors Wingate Sports Weekly each Wednesday at Hill Top Bistro in Monroe (602 E. Roosevelt Blvd.). The Dutch treat lunch begins at 12 noon. The gatherings give Bulldog fans an opportunity to interact with Wingate coaches and student-athletes. Wingate Sports Weekly replaces Wake Up with Wingate for the 2011-12 academic year.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a comprehensive university with more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. The university offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.

Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past five years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 39 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 48 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.