Mars Hill, N.C.----The 19th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs opened conference play with a 2-1 victory at Mars Hill University in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action Wednesday night at Meares Stadium. Wingate improves to 3-0-2 overall and 1-0 in the SAC, while the Lions fall to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the 40th minute, when junior defender Alex Nelson (Newcastle, England) scored his second goal of the year off a Callum Ross (Newcastle, England) assist.

Wingate wasted no time getting on the board in the second, with All-American forward Charlie Machell (Newcastle, England) finding the back of the net for the third time this year just 70 seconds after intermission. Sophomore midfielder David Fairgrieve (Newcastle, England) had the assist on the goal.

Mars Hill got on the board with five minutes remaining in regulation when Oscar Mitchell netted his first goal of the season.

Wingate held an 18-17 advantage in shots on the night, with a 9-8 edge in shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Pablo Jara (Santiago, Chile) piled up seven saves for the Bulldogs. Connor Talbot had seven saves for Mount Olive.

Wingate is back in action Saturday, hosting Anderson at 7:30 p.m.