St. Augustine, Fla.----When the Wingate University men’s soccer team (12-5-1 overall) takes on host Flagler College (10-4-4 overall) Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the Super Region 2 semi-final match, the Bulldogs will be continuing to make the most of a post-season berth which didn’t seem likely only two weeks ago.
 
After Wingate fell to Anderson (S.C.) 1-0 in the first round of the Food Lion SAC tournament on Oct. 31, there was a chance the AU Trojans had ended the Bulldogs’ season for the third consecutive year. Coach Gary Hamill’s club had to wait from Wednesday until the NCAA selection show the following Monday to learn they had secured an at-large bid to postseason play.
 
Wingate defeated Montevallo (Ala.) 3-1 in the opening round. In the second round, the Bulldogs edged host Lander 2-1 on a goal from Pedro Figuiera (Sao Paulo, Brazil) with 42 seconds remaining, giving Wingate two NCAA victories last weekend in Greenwood, S.C.
 
The Bulldogs now hit the road again to face a Flagler squad they have met three times since 2009. The first matchup between the two programs took place in the opening round of the 2009 NCAA tournament on Nov. 11. Wingate won that match 4-0 to capture its first NCAA tournament victory. Flagler responded with regular season wins in 2010 and 2011 to lead the overall series 2-1.
 
“We are looking forward to keeping momentum going to the next round and the opportunity to play in our first regional championship match,” Hamill says about his team’s trip to Flagler. “The team is in good form and we’ve had great practices. The guys remain in high spirits; they are excited for the opportunity which awaits us Thursday night.”
 
Sophomore forward Peron Da Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) leads the 2012 offensive effort with six goals to his credit, including five match-winners. Da Silva has also put over half of his 43 shots on goal. Senior forward Gui Lima (Sao Paulo, Brazil) has added four goals and five assists to the offensive attack.
 
Senior Corey McCollom (Monroe, N.C.) brings much experience to anchor the Bulldog defense, having started 68 matches for the blue-and-gold during his Wingate career. McCollom has also added two goals and one assist this year.
 
Flagler is led offensively by junior Zach Shanahan’s nine goals and two assists. John Lynch is in his 14th year leading the men’s soccer program for the FC Saints.
 
The winner of the Wingate/Flagler match will face the Lynn/Rollins winner Saturday evening in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight (at Flagler). Lynn and Rollins battle at 4 p.m. Thursday (prior to the Wingate/Flagler match) in the other Super Region 2 semi-final.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University, ranked as the 6th “best value” in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves 2,648 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy and education. With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 20 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing private colleges in the 2000’s with 50 selections. Among North Carolina’s colleges and universities, Wingate’s 50 Academic All-America® honorees are first during this millennium. Wingate’s 59 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
(Wingate University class of 2011 graduate Daniel Smith contributed this story. The Oakboro, N.C. native will serve as a graduate assistant for the Wingate Athletic Foundation and the Bulldog Club for the 2012-13 academic year.)