PHOTO GALLERY

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs scored three times in the final 14 minutes of the first half en route to a 3-0 victory over the visiting Pacers of USC Aiken in NCAA Division II women’s soccer action Monday night. The Bulldogs notch their third consecutive win, improving to 4-2 overall. USC Aiken falls to 3-3 on the year.
 
Wingate sophomore forward Chandler Murphy (Pawleys Island, S.C.) got the scoring started 31:29 into the opening half. She ripped a shot that hit the post and the rebound came back to Murphy, who netted her second goal of the year to put Wingate on top 1-0.

The Bulldogs struck again nine minutes later from a corner kick. Murphy drove the corner kick into the top of the box. Sophomore midfielder Taryn Grivois (Murrieta, Calif.) floated one towards the goal, where sophomore defender Chelsey Horan (Waxhaw, N.C.) headed it over the goalkeeper for her first goal of the year.
 
The ‘Dogs struck less than three minutes later to take a three-goal advantage. Junior midfielder Izabella Miranda (Plymouth, Mass.) crossed one to senior forward Hannah Holsclaw (Matthews, N.C.), who headed in her team-best third goal of the year to make the score 3-0 prior to intermission.
 
Wingate dominated the statistics, out-shooting USC Aiken 25-2 on the night. The Bulldogs held a 13-2 edge in shots on goal and 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Ashlyn Hardie (Summerfield, N.C.) had a pair of saves to preserve her second straight shutout for the Bulldogs. Sophomore Melissa Westphal (Springfield, Va.) had six saves in the first half for the Pacers, while junior Alli Edens (Lexington, S.C.) had three saves without allowing a goal in the second half.
 
Wingate returns to action Wednesday, hosting Armstrong (Ga.) at 2 p.m. The Pacers host USC Beaufort Thursday at 7 p.m.
 
(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)