Women's Soccer | 9/3/2017 9:08:00 AM

VIDEO: Position Previews (Forwards & Midfielders)

Wingate, N.C.---- The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2017 season Monday afternoon, hosting the University of Tampa at 12 p.m. on ESPN3. Wingate will be looking for an eighth straight trip to the SAC Tournament title match and a sixth NCAA Tournament bid in the last seven years.

"We have discussed approaching things as they come, one at a time, starting with the SAC," assistant coach Jack Vundum says. "We are in a position, with our squad, to challenge for the title once again and have trained through preseason with that intention. This is nothing new from past seasons. The difference this year is the consistency of quality throughout the entire team. The use of the squad is going to be vital for us this year. I am confident in putting anyone on the pitch and really think that in important moments the players coming off the bench have the ability to make the impacts we will need."

The Bulldogs went 12-6-1 last season, posting an 8-3 record in league play. Wingate shutout Queens and Lenoir-Rhyne in the SAC Tournament quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the SAC title match for the seventh consecutive year, dropping a tough 2-1 contest against Carson-Newman. The 'Dogs are 86-22-13 over the past six seasons, compiling a 49-9-5 record in SAC play.

"We are happy with the way preseason has gone in terms of our conditioning, level of competiveness and sharpness in training exercises," Vundum says. "We certainly still have areas to work on but are confident in the way things have begun to integrate. We have a small senior class of players, but all with great experience in the SAC, SAC tournament and postseason play, which will be invaluable. Over their past three seasons they have a habit of finding a way to win tough games and are very tough competitors. They're a great example for our younger members to follow."

Forwards
Several players will make an impact up front for the Bulldogs, led by sophomore Morgan Gray (Broomfield, Colo.) and junior Sophie Jendrzejczyk (St. Charles, Ill.). Gray appeared in all 19 games last season, making 16 starts while collecting a goal and two assists as a midfielder. Jendrzejczyk made 17 appearances as a sophomore, netting a goal in the LMU victory. "Morgan is a target player who will link up the play well with her back to goal and has a good presence in the box," Vundum says. "Sophie is good with her back to the goal and can link play up. She started this preseason with good motivation and will look to come off the bench and make an impact.

Wingate will also look to three freshmen to make an immediate impact in Cary Veit (Pinehurst, N.C.), Kalyn Williamson (Summerfield, N.C.) and Sienna Ahlers (Los Alamos, N.M.). "Carley and Kalyn are young, quick and good technical players," Vundum says. "With confidence, they will become very good players. We expect these two to contribute after very good preseasons. Sienna has no club soccer background, so she is pretty raw, but is a very hard worker."
 
?Midfielders
Wingate has plenty of experience at the midfield position, led by senior Taylor Leyble (Jacksonville, N.C.) and junior Kimmi Moore (Hubert, N.C.). Both are preseason All-SAC honorees, with Moore leading the Bulldogs in goals and points last season, but switching to a defensive midfield position this year. Leyble registered four goals and a pair of assists last season. "Kimmi is a beast and plays very aggressive," Vundum says. "Taylor adds good pace in the midfield and adds a great attacking threat."

Also playing key roles in the midfield are juniors Colleen Zickert (Arlington Heights, Ill.), Caileigh Apicella (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) and Gabby Fleischli (Highlands Ranch, Colo.). Zickert had three goals and three assists last year, earning preseason All-SAC honors this season. Apicella contributed a goal and two assists, while Fleischli added a pair of assists. "Caileigh is good technically, with great ability to pass over varying ranges to change the speed and direction of the game," Vundum says. "Colleen has great composure on the ball and we expect Gabby to come off the bench and chip in with a few goals this year. Freshman Lily Butler (Sanford, Fla.) has good composure and technical ability for an attacking midfielder. She has a great work rate and we expect her to contribute off the bench."

Defenders
The Wingate defense was once again a big strength in 2016, leading the SAC with a 0.63 goals-against average, piling up 12 shutouts in 19 matches. Preseason All-SAC senior Kaitlyn Fletcher (Jacksonville, N.C.) will lead the defensive effort, joining redshirt freshman Kat Stockford (Columbia, Md.), junior Erica Pacello (Dix Hills, N.Y.), sophomore Carley Olson (Waterloo, Ill.) and freshman Kristin Debiase (Deer Park, N.Y.).

"We expect Kaitlyn to contribute on the attacking end of things with assists and goals this year," Vundum says. "She will be up and down the pitch providing a good outlet for us on the right. Kat is back from injury and eager to impress. She is naturally left footed which provides good balance and she understands the game well. Erica and Carley are very solid defensively and will both be extremely tough competitors. Kristin adds much needed pace on the defense. She has the ability to play out from the back and is nice and aggressive in a challenge too. We expect her to contribute a lot this season from a starting position."

Goalkeepers
Senior Alexis Jones (Midway Park, N.C.) is a preseason All-SAC selection after leading the SAC in goals-against average and save percentage in 2016, collecting 12 shutouts while ranking second in the league in saves. Junior Abbey Frail (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and freshman Allison Kite (Catharpin, Va.) will provide plenty of depth at the position for the Bulldogs.

"Alexis started well and is working hard to improve her distribution as we look to build attacks from her and also recycle the ball through her," Vundum says. "Abbey will genuinely push Alexis for a starting position?. It's been a great competition. Allison is young and eager to learn and ultimately contribute."

Wingate begins the 2017 season Monday, Sept. 4, hosting Tampa at noon. After traveling to Lander Sept. 9, the Bulldogs host Queens Sept. 13 in the SAC opener.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,200 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 35 minors, 12 career concentrations, nine pre-professional programs, master's degrees in accounting, business, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 11 years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 96 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 96 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 105 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.