Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's soccer team posted its third consecutive 3-0 shutout Wednesday, blanking Mars Hill University in South Atlantic Conference action at Pride Park. Bulldog junior goalkeeper Alexis Jones (Midway Park, N.C.) earned her fourth shutout of the season as Wingate improved to 3-1-1 overall (1-0-0 SAC). Mars Hill is 0-3-1 overall (0-1-0 SAC).
 
Three Bulldogs found the scoring column: sophomore forward Kimmi Moore (Hubert, N.C.), freshman midfielder Taylor Krakower (Wayne, N.J.) and senior forward Naomi Matley (Clover, S.C.). Moore leads the balanced Wingate attack with three goals this season.
 
"I thought we played a very well-organized side in Mars Hill tonight," Wingate head women's soccer coach Chip Wiggins says. "I have a lot of respect for their coaching staff. They came in with a game plan that frustrated us most of the match."
 
Wingate managed only six shots on goal. Moore got things going in the 19th minute, taking a nice pass from junior defender Kaitlyn Fletcher (Jacksonville, N.C.) and finding the back of the nets. The Bulldogs took the one-goal advantage to the halftime locker room.
 
Krakower opened the second half with a goal in the 46th minute. She converted a pass from senior forward Brooke Howell (Charlotte, N.C.) on a cross rebound. Howell shares the Bulldog team lead (with Krakower) as she notches her second assist of the young season.
 
Matley concluded the scoring in the 80th minute, finding a wide-open spot on the bottom right-side of the net. Senior forward Maggie Smith (Monroe, N.C.) notched the assist.
 
The Lions had only two shots. MHU junior forward Juanita Guzman (Boone, N.C.) hit the post with 50 seconds remaining in the first half. Sophomore defender Leah Hairfield (Willis, Va.) had a close-range free kick in the 70th minute, but her attempt sailed high.
 
Jones did not record a save Wednesday. Two Mars Hill net minders collected three total saves. Junior Kaitlyn Danglemaler (Brighton, Mich.) played 50 minutes, allowing two goals and notching two saves. Classmate Maslyn Greene (Dallas, Ga.) finished, surrendering one goal and posting one save.
 
"We still need to create a few more opportunities in the attacking third and finish a few more of the opportunities we do create," Wiggins says. "We also need to clean up our play in all three thirds of the field."
 
Wingate hits the road Saturday, venturing to Anderson (S.C.) for a 1 p.m. SAC contest. The next home game for the Bulldogs is Saturday, Sept. 24, when Wingate entertains Newberry at 5 p.m. Mars Hill returns home this Saturday, hosting Catawba at 2 p.m.