Box Score

Pembroke, N.C.----UNC Pembroke won a battle of regionally-ranked teams Tuesday night, taking a 3-1 decision over Wingate University at Varsity Grounds on the UNCP campus. The host Braves scored two goals in the second half to break a 1-1 halftime deadlock.
 
UNC Pembroke (number six in the Southeast Region) improves to 3-0 overall, while Wingate (number four) falls to 2-1 overall. The Bulldogs host Lander Wednesday night, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The UNCP Braves open Peach Belt Conference play Friday, visiting Georgia Southwestern at 3:30 p.m.

The Braves struck first, as sophomore forward Matt MacDougall (Richlands, N.C.) converted a header inside the box in the 19th minute. He was assisted on the play by sophomore forward Sam Miles (Christchurch, New Zealand) and freshman midfielder Reece Rooney (Waterford, Ireland). MacDougall’s goal was his first of the season.

Wingate tied the contest in the 28th minute, as sophomore midfielder Dillon Payne (Longwood, Fla.) scored on a shot towards the far post. Payne’s first career goal was assisted by junior defender Pedro Figueira (Sao Paulo, Brazil), who collects his second assist of the young season.
 
Miles scored the match-winner in the 69th minute on a deflection. Senior midfielder Sean Hoek (Little Rock, Ark.) dished out the assist. Freshman midfielder Rico Laitinen (Lahti, Finland) gave the Braves insurance in the 80th minute, tallying his first career goal. MacDougall had one of two assists on the play.
 
UNC Pembroke outshot Wingate 16-7, with a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. Payne and sophomore midfielder Ben Biron (Kfar Saba, Israel) had Wingate’s shots on goal. Bulldog sophomore goalkeeper Sanjit Kang (Mississauga, Ontario) allowed three goals and recorded three saves. Braves junior net minder Ryan Hanson (Cary, N.C.) surrendered one goal and notched one save to collect his third victory of the season.