Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's soccer season gets underway this week in Alabama, with the Bulldogs facing Spring Hill Thursday at 4 p.m. Wingate stays in Alabama over the weekend, then travels to Auburn-Montgomery Monday for a 1 p.m. start. The 'Dogs are coming off an 11-4 season with an 8-2 record in SAC play to finish second in the league standings. Wingate went on to advance to the SAC Tournament championship match for the eighth consecutive season.

"The team goals are to stay healthy and improve every week," head coach Chip Wiggins says. "The pre-season went well. We had one poor day of training but every other day was great. Our pre-season matches went well and told us a lot about where we are and where we need to be."

Goalkeeper

Redshirt senior Abbey Frail enters the season as the starter. She made three appearances and two starts in 2017, collecting eight saves while picking up a win and taking part in two shutouts. "Abbey will be the starter to begin the season," Wiggins says. She had a solid spring season and has been a great leader so far this fall. She has certainly been patient and worked hard for this opportunity."

Defense

The Wingate defense led the league in goals-against average during the regular season in 2017, allowing only seven goals in 12 regular season contests while notching six shutouts. The back line is anchored by preseason All-SAC selections Caileigh Apicella and Kristen DeBiase. "Kristin and Caileigh will continue to anchor our defense," Wiggins says.

The Bulldogs have some good depth in the defense, including senior Erica Pacello, junior Carley Olson and freshman Chandler Hendrix. "Erica, Chandler and Carley will also play a role for us in these positions," Wiggins says. "We feel as though we have a lot of experience in these positions and therefore a lot of depth here."

Midfield

The Bulldogs also have plenty of experience in the midfield, led by redshirt senior Colleen Zickert, sophomore Morgan Zanardi and junior Morgan Gray, along with redshirt sophomores Kat Stockford and Kalyn Williamson and freshman McKenna Delong. Zickert had five goals and four assists last season, ranking second on the team in goals, third in assists and second in points. Zanardi scored the game-winner against LMU, while Gray also handed out an assist for the Bulldogs.

Wingate will have several more options in the midfield, including freshman Natalee Chornak, sophomore Lily Butler, freshman Vanessa Harrison, junior Cat McCollom, and senior Morgan Whitesides. "Morgan Zanardi, Morgan Gray, Kat, Kalyn and McKenna will be the primary midfielders to begin the season," Wiggins says. "Natalee, Lily, Vanessa, Cat, and Morgan Whitesides should also see quality minutes in the midfield, as well. As in the back, we feel we again have a lot of experience and depth here."

Forward

Preseason All-SAC selection Kimmi Moore leads the way up front for Wingate. The senior had five goals and four assists last season, finishing second on the team in goals and points and third in assists. Classmate Gabby Fleischli is also a key forward after collecting three goals and a team-best five assists in 2017. Junior Taylor Krakower had three goals and an assist, while Zickert will also see some time as a forward this year.

Senior Sophie Jendrzejczyk, along with freshmen Alicia Rubio Garcia and Savannah Metz will also push for time up front this season. "Gabby, Kimmi, Taylor and Colleen will be the primary forwards to begin the season, with the next three all pushing for starting positions," Wiggins says. "We feel like we have a good group to choose from at these positions."

After the season-opening trip to Alabama, the Bulldogs come home for three straight matches, starting Wednesday, Sept. 5, hosting Concord at 7 p.m. on ESPN3. The Bulldogs host Lander the following Saturday, then open SAC play Wednesday, Sept. 12 at home against Mars Hill at 5 p.m.

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 12 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 105 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 114 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.