Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University redshirt sophomore forward Kaitlyn Cox piled up three goals and an assist Wednesday night, leading the Bulldogs to a 4-0 victory over visiting Barton College in NCAA Division II women's soccer action at Pride Park. Wingate improves to 9-3-1 overall, while Barton falls to 8-5-1 on the season. 

THOUGHTS FROM COACH JACK VUNDUM

"We wanted to respond and respond quickly after LR, I thought in that game we didn't get into the game early enough. This was the emphasis tonight, that we wanted to set a quick tempo in possessions of the ball and out of possession of the ball. We got a good goal early, and obviously the red card changed things. I think we took full advantage and really went on and dominated the game from there."
 
KEY STATS

- Wingate had a dominant 30-5 advantage in shots
- WU held a 16-4 edge in shots on goal
- Wingate took all three corners of the game
- Cox had three goals and an assist
- Cat McCollom netted a goal for WU
- Taylor Krakower and Jess LaFrancis each registered an assist
- Abbey Frail collected four saves
 
NOTES

- Wingate is 6-4 all-time against Barton
- WU is 4-2 when facing BC at Pride Park
- Cox collects a career-high seven points
- Cox's first career hat trick
- First hat trick by a Wingate player since Kimmi Moore on 10/22/18
- McCollom nets her first career goal
- Seventh shutout of the season for Wingate

FIRST HALF

- In the eighth minute of action Krakower sent a through ball past the Barton back line
- Cox sprinted past all defenders and collected the ball, finishing it left of the keeper 1-on-1
- With less than five minutes remaining in the first frame, a Barton Bulldog was given a straight red card
- BC would draw a WU foul a minute later, earning a penalty kick but Frail made the save
- Wingate found the back of the net again with less than two minutes remaining in the half
- Cox crossed the ball from the far-right corner, McCollom settled on the left post then slotted it past the keeper

SECOND HALF

- In the 54th minute LaFrancis sent a through ball forward to Cox
- Cox beat the last defender and finished it into the upper 90 past an outstretched keeper
- Three minutes later Cox would cap off the hat trick
- She challenged the keeper who was trying to collect and guided the ball into the back of the net

UP NEXT

- Wingate hosts Salem International next Wednesday to round out a four-game home stand
- The Bulldogs hit the road to Carson-Newman on November 2
- WU hosts Catawba Nov.6, celebrating Senior Day