Hickory, N.C.----The number 25 Lenoir-Rhyne University women’s soccer team won a battle of South Atlantic Conference powerhouses Saturday evening, taking a 4-0 victory over Wingate University at Bears Field. The L-R Bears are 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the SAC. The Wingate Bulldogs are 3-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the SAC.
 
The contest was a re-match of the 2011 Food Lion SAC tournament championship match won by Wingate 4-2. L-R freshman midfielder Kendall Smith (Asheville, N.C.) put the Bears on the board in the fourth minute, tallying her third goal of the season on an assist from junior defender Blair McDonough (Staunton, Va.).
 
Lenoir-Rhyne redshirt freshman forward Hallie Hilliard (Lenoir, N.C.) gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with five minutes to go in the first half. Hilliard was assisted on the play by junior forward Ariel Dominguez (Annapolis, Md.). The hosts scored two insurance goals in the second half.
 
The Bears outshot the Bulldogs 22-12 with a 12-9 advantage in shots on goal. Wingate senior goalkeeper Miriam Boucher (Calgary, Alberta) had eight saves. Lenoir-Rhyne senior net minder Caitlin Scruggs (Torrance, Calif.) recorded nine saves.

Both teams return to the pitch Wednesday for SAC home matches. Wingate hosts Newberry at 5 p.m., while Lenoir-Rhyne entertains Catawba at the same time.

Wingate vs #25 Lenoir-Rhyne (Sep 15, 2012 at Hickory, N.C.) Wingate (3-1-1, 0-1 SAC) vs. Lenoir-Rhyne (4-1, 1-0 SAC)
Date: Sept 15, 2012  Attendance: 250
Weather: 78, partly cloudy, slight breeze, very nice

Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Wingate.............  0  0 -  0
Lenoir-Rhyne........  2  2 -  4

SCORING SUMMARY:
1.   3:45 L-R Kendall Smith (3) (Blair McDonough)
2.  39:52 L-R Hallie Hilliard (2) (Ariel Dominguez)
3.  57:58 L-R Leah Mullins (5) (Carley Griffin)
4.  84:15 L-R Zara Walker (2) (Amber Madriaga)  

Shots: Wingate 12, Lenoir-Rhyne 22
Saves: Wingate 8 (Miriam Boucher 8),
       L-R 9 (Caitlin Scruggs 9)