Wingate, N.C.----The 19th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs scored twice in the final 16 minutes, rallying for a 2-1 victory over visiting Lenoir-Rhyne University in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action Saturday night. The Bulldogs improve to 12-2-2 overall and 9-1 in the SAC, clinching at least a share of a second straight SAC title. Wingate wins back-to-back regular season league titles for the first time in program history. The Bears fall to 7-6-2 overall and 4-5-1 in the conference.

Wingate dominated possession in the opening half, out-shooting Lenoir-Rhyne 10-2, with a 2-1 edge in shots on goal, but the teams went to halftime scoreless.

The Bears struck first in the 66th minute, when Ismael Noumansana lined one into the upper corner from the top of the box, netting his seventh goal of the year off an Eric Elder assist to make it 1-0.

Wingate got the equalizer nine minutes later. Senior midfielder Shaun Gadsby (Newcastle, England) sent a low cross in front of the goal, where sophomore Jon Ander (Bilbao) put one into the back of the net for the ninth time this year to make it 1-1.

In the 87th minute, another cross from Gadsby had the LRU defense beat. Sophomore Damian Gaona (Santiago, Chile) was there, looking for the go-ahead goal but a Lenoir-Rhyne defender was called for an intentional hand ball, giving Wingate a penalty kick. Sophomore Callum Ross (Newcastle, England) lined one home, netting his sixth goal of the year to give the 'Dogs a 2-1 advantage.

Wingate out-shot the Bears 18-4 on the night, with an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Freshman Pablo Jara (Santiago, Chile) had two saves for the Bulldogs, while Zach King collected six saves for Lenoir-Rhyne.

The Bulldogs are back in action Friday, traveling to Tusculum for a 6:30 p.m. start.