Box Score Winter Park, Fla.----The 18th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs scored three goals in the opening 45 minutes Saturday afternoon, hanging on for a 3-2 victory in NCAA Division II men's soccer action. Wingate finishes off its Florida trip at 1-1 on the season, while Saint Leo also moves to 1-1 overall.

The Bulldogs jumped on the board just 8:25 into the contest when Elliot Cutts scored his second goal in as many matches off an assist from Nico Esposito.

Cutts scored his second goal of the day and third of the year in the 30th minute to put the 'Dogs on top by two.

Wingate took a three-goal lead to the locker room when Oscar Perez converted a penalty kick with just over two minutes remaining in the opening half.

The Lions made it interesting in the second half, getting on the board nine minutes after halftime on an Elias Niesigk goal. Saint Leo made it a one-goal game with 23 minutes left in regulation when Dion Dozzell found the back of the net off a Niesigk assist to make it 3-2.

Wingate was able to keep the Lions of the board in the final 23 minutes of the game, which was intense all afternoon. The physical contest featured 35 fouls, 10 yellow cards and two red cards. Saint Leo was issued five of those yellow cards and both red cards.

Saint Leo held an 18-15 advantage in shots, with a 9-7 edge in shots on goal. Three-time All-American goalkeeper Pablo Jara piled up six saves on the day, while Christian Evans had four saves for the Lions. Cutts led the 'Dogs with four shots, scoring on both shots on goal. Stuart Hendry added a pair of shots on frame for Wingate.

The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday, welcoming Chowan to town at 4 p.m. in the 2018 home opener on ESPN3.