Men's Lacrosse | 2/8/2018 8:30:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University men's lacrosse team starts its 2018 season Friday at Graham Gill Field, as the Bulldogs take on the Panthers from Florida Tech University (3 p.m. first face-off on ESPN3). The 2018 team looks to build upon a legacy of excellence already instilled by second-year head coach Tim Boyle as the Bulldogs are the reigning South Atlantic Conference tournament champions. Last season, the 'Dogs finished 13-4 overall with SAC record of 6-2, a program-best showing. 
 
This year will be a big test for the men's lacrosse team, as they graduated eight 2017 seniors who contributed significantly, on and off the field.  "There will be many challenges for the 2018 Bulldogs as the season begins," Boyle says. "There will be new faces at key positions. We will need to come together as a family to tackle these challenges head on."
 
The Bulldogs' strength of schedule has increased since last season (complete 2018 schedule). "We start the season playing three top 20 teams in Florida Tech, Mercyhurst and UIndy," Boyle says. "We then head down to Florida for a two-game swing against two very good teams in Florida Southern and Lynn."
 
Once the Bulldogs return from Florida, there will be more work to do. "We start our very tough SAC schedule following our Florida trip," Boyle says. "We are excited to get the season under way as the boys have been working hard on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room to prepare for the journey ahead."
 
THE BULLDOGS BY POSITION
 
Offense: Graduating many starting attack men, the 'Dogs see the return of senior Jeremy Sullivan, who captains the offense from the attack position.  Stepping up in a big way will be a rotational core of Gary Pierpont, Joe Cooper, Josh Ferentinos, Dominic Piazza, Bobby Padden and Connor Rice. A strong core of junior middies returns including Daniel Godwin, Alex Llerandi, Conor Gronbach, Ryan Ormerod and Robbie Williams. Senior Seth Grimwood also makes his return to the field after being sidelined last season due to injury. 
 
Face-offs: Wyatt Wieseman comes back for his junior campaign to lead the charge from the face-off dot, with Neil Ehinger and Christian Hall helping carry the load. 
 
Defense: With many key defensive players lost to graduation, the 2018 Bulldogs' back line will be led by senior Chris Gazzio and junior RJ Neal. The defensive midfield has many returning veterans, including graduate student Brennan Asplen, seniors Marc James and Zach Lord and junior Sean Moran with many new faces stepping into the spotlight to help round out and anchor the defense. 
 
Goalie: Graduate student Jake Ormerod looks to make a return to the field from injury last season. He will captain the defense from between the pipes.
 
SAC PRESEASON TEAM

The Bulldogs had five student-athletes who earned preseason all-conference distinction. Junior midfielder Daniel Godwin and senior defenseman Chris Gazzio were named to the preseason All-SAC first team. Senior attack Jeremy Sullivan, junior midfielder Alex Llerandi and junior specialist Wyatt Weiseman were selected for the second team.
 
Wingate was picked to finish second in the 2018 preseason South Atlantic Conference coaches poll. The defending SAC tournament champion Bulldogs received 58 points and three first-place votes to finish behind Lenoir-Rhyne University with 60 points and six first-place votes. Queens University of Charlotte was third with 52 points.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
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. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 99 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 108 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.