Box Score Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University freshman defender Liam Gillesphey (Newcastle, England) converted a goal on an assist from junior forward Fabio Azeredo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) in the 75th minute, giving the host Bulldogs a 1-0 NCAA Division II Southeast Region victory over Limestone Wednesday night at the WU Soccer Complex.
 
Both teams are ranked in the top eight of the NCAA regional rankings. Number five Wingate improves to 10-4 overall, while number eight Limestone falls to 10-4-1 overall. Both teams return to league play Saturday night. Wingate hosts Tusculum, while Limestone visits Coker. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
           
“I am pleased with the work rate and our ability to get back to the basics,” Wingate head coach Gary Hamill says. “It’s been a rough 10 days for us…we showed true character tonight beating a very good Limestone team.”
 
Azeredo made a great move on the left side, sidestepping a defender and making a pinpoint pass to Gillesphey at the top of the box. Gillesphey had space and he made the most of the opportunity, drilling the ball into the right-hand corner of the goal. The true freshman has two goals this season; one each in Wingate’s last two victories. He scored his first collegiate goal in a 3-1 triumph over Belmont Abbey seven days ago.
 
Limestone held a 20-13 advantage in shots with an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. Saint junior midfielder Bryce Ziada (Melbourne, Australia) had three shots on goal, while sophomore forward Jorge Mack (Santiago, Chile) and sophomore midfield Thomas Keen (Liverpool, England) posted two shots on goal each.
 
Gillesphey, Azeredo and junior midfielder Gui Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil) had one shot on goal each for the Bulldogs. Wingate sophomore goalkeeper Daniel DeGraff (Statesville, N.C.) had a big night, notching eight saves. Limestone freshman goalkeeper Tom Godfrey (Ninfield, England) posted two saves. Both DeGraff and Godfrey played 90 minutes each.