Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University redshirt senior
Felipe Checco (Brotas, Brazil) and sophomore
Elliot Cutts (London, England) had impressive debuts for the Bulldogs, combining for three goals and two assists to lead the nation's top-ranked team to a 4-2 victory over visiting Saint Leo University in NCAA Division II men's soccer action at Pride Park. The defending national champion Bulldogs open the season 1-0, while Saint Leo falls to 0-1.
Wingate got on the board in the 11th minute, when Cutts was taken down in the box, earning a penalty kick. Checco found the back of the net in his first game as a Bulldog to make it 1-0.
Checco setup the second goal of the day in the 27th minute, beating a pair of defenders, then serving a perfect ball to the top of the box for Cutts, who drilled one into the corner for his first goal as a Bulldog to make it 2-0.
Saint Leo earned a penalty kick seven minutes later and
Yuga Yanagisawa converted to cut the lead in half. A Wingate defensive miscue allowed Saint Leo's
Tyler Palmer a one-on-one chance against the keeper, finding the back of the net to tie the match with four minutes left in the first half.
The Bulldogs regained the lead 13 minutes into the second half, when Checco again found Cutts, making a run down the right side of the field. The sophomore lofted one over the keeper from the right edge of the box to give the 'Dogs a 3-2 lead.
Wingate got some insurance in the 73rd minute when a pass from midfield off the foot of senior
Garrett Bridgewater (Cape Carteret, N.C.) found senior forward
Elma N'For (Yaoundé, Cameroon) behind the defense. The 2016 All-Region honoree beat the keeper in the right corner to make the final margin 4-2.
The Bulldogs outshot the Lions 12-10 on the night, holding a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Two-time All-American goalkeeper
Pablo Jara (Santiago, Chile) had three saves for the Bulldogs, while
Wessel Berenschot collected a pair of saves for Saint Leo.
Wingate is back in action Saturday, hosting Rollins at 7 p.m. The Lions will take on Lees-McRae Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pride Park.
