Box Score

Mount Olive, N.C.----Wingate University junior All-American forward Jade Montgomery (Monroe, N.C.) posted two goals and an assist, leading the Bulldogs to a 3-0 NCAA Division II Southeast Region victory over Mount Olive College Wednesday night at Amon Field.

Wingate (1-0-2 overall) earns the initial Bulldog victory for first-year head coach Chip Wiggins. Mount Olive falls to 0-2-1 overall. Wingate opens South Atlantic Conference play Saturday, venturing to Carson-Newman University for a 5 p.m. kick-off.
 
"In the first half, we came out ready to play," Wiggins says. "In our first two matches, I thought we started a little slow. Tonight, we played with more focus."
 
The nation's leading scorer in 2012, Montgomery notched her assist on Wingate's first goal. In the fourth minute, she assisted freshman forward Brooke Howell (Charlotte, N.C.) for the Bulldogs' first score. Howell's run and Montgomery's cross resulted in a close-range score for the Ardrey Kell graduate.
 
Montgomery scored an unassisted goal in the 26th minute to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage. Montgomery challenged Mount Olive freshman goalkeeper Katie Batson (Topsail, N.C.) at the top of the 18, slipping past and scoring in the empty net.
 
With seven minutes to play in the opening frame, Montgomery concluded the scoring with another unassisted goal. The 2013 SAC Female Athlete of the Year has three goals on the young season.
 
Wingate outshot Mount Olive 10-6. The Bulldogs held a 4-2 margin in corner kicks. Bulldog freshman goalkeeper Lauren Schoonover (Lake Stevens, Wash.) earned her first career victory, notching four saves. She played 61 minutes. Wingate senior goalkeeper Carly Rives (Matthews, N.C.) finished the match, playing 29 minutes.
 
Batson took the loss. In 45 minutes, she allowed three goals and recorded one saves. Mount Olive freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Cirrito (Manassas Park, Va.) played the second half. Cirrito pitched a shutout with three saves.
 
"We are still working on things, such as our style of play," Wiggins says. "Tonight, we were close to hitting on all cylinders. We are a work-in-progress. In the second half, we were able to play everybody. This will help us down the road…as we hope to build our depth."