NCAA D2 Women's Soccer Bracket

Indianapolis, Ind.----The Wingate University Bulldogs earned the number seven seed in the NCAA Southeast Region, earning a bid to the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2015. Wingate will take on second-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne Friday in Hickory.

"This team through their hard work, commitment and quality over the course of the season has taken the program back to where we belong," Interim head coach Jack Vundum says. "I'm so happy for them and we are now going to go and enjoy every minute that we can."

Flagler is the number one seed in the regional, followed by Lenoir-Rhyne. The Saints and Bears both earn hosting duties for the opening weekend. North Georgia is the three seed, followed by fourth-seeded Lincoln Memorial and number five seed UNC Pembroke. Mount Olive is the six seed, followed by Wingate and Catawba.

The Bulldogs enter the NCAA Tournament at 13-4-2 overall after going 7-2-1 in league play to finish second in the SAC Standings. Wingate advanced to the championship game of the SAC Tournament for the ninth time in 10 years, dropping a tough 1-0 contest to LMU after defeating Anderson and Queens in the first two rounds.

Wingate had never earned an NCAA Tournament bid before the 2011 season. The Bulldogs then appeared in every tournament from 2011-2015. That run was highlighted by winning the NCAA Southeast Regional title in 2013, playing a national quarterfinal match at home.

The Bulldogs are tied for the league lead with a 0.61 goals-against average this season, while ranking third in the SAC with 2.21 goals per contest. The 'Dogs had five players earn all-conference accolades, led by first team selections Abbey Frail, Kristen DeBiase and McKenna DeLong.

The winner of the Wingate vs. Lenoir-Rhyne contest advances to Sunday's regional semifinal match to take on the winner of the North Georgia vs. Mount Olive game.

For more information throughout the week, go to wingatebulldogs.com and follow @WU_Bulldogs on Twitter.

NCAA Southeast Regional

Friday, Nov. 22 (at Lenoir-Rhyne)
#7 Wingate at #2 Lenoir-Rhyne
#6 Mount Olive vs. #3 North Georgia

Friday, Nov. 22 (at Flagler)
#8 Catawba at #1 Flagler
#5 UNC Pembroke vs. #4 Lincoln Memorial

Sunday, Nov. 24 (at Lenoir-Rhyne)
WU-LR Winner vs. UMO-UNG Winner

Sunday, Nov. 24 (at Flagler)
CAT-FC Winner vs. UNCP-LMU Winner

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 13 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 113 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 122 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.