Wingate, N.C.---- In a matchup featuring two of the last three NCAA Division II national champions, the 2016 national champion Wingate University Bulldogs dominated the defending national champion and eighth-ranked Barry University Buccaneers 3-0 in men's soccer action Thursday night at Pride Park. Wingate begins 2-0 on the season, while Barry drops to 1-2 overall.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH HAMILL

"I think the composure of the young guys has been great. Our major concern was getting the second half performance, and I thought we were a little inexperienced last Saturday. So I spoke to them at half as far as controlling the game. It got a little bit hectic the first 10 minutes of the game and maybe the last five. Possession-wise, we had a top-class second half performance. We knew Barry was going to have to come out strong and as long as we could play the passes and got the ball into where we needed it, we knew we would get more opportunities to score. To be fair we finished them well."
 
KEY STATS

- Wingate held an 18-5 advantage in shots
- The Bulldogs had six shots on goal, the Buccaneers had three
- WU held a 6-4 edge on corner kicks
- Daniel Kuper scored the game-winner on a penalty kick
- Elliot Cutts and Paul Ngongo each notched a goal for the 'Dogs
- Stuart Hendry and Mattia Ditommaso each handed out an assist
- Jens Bergendorff collected three saves
 
NOTES

- Wingate moves to 145-41-17 at Pride Park dating back to the 1998 season
- WU is 136-35-16 in regular season play at home during that span
- The 'Dogs are 9-0-1 in their last 10 regular season home matches
- Hamill registers his 330 career win
- This was the first meeting between the Bulldogs and the Buccaneers
- Two of the last three national championship teams were represented in tonight's game
 
FIRST HALF

- Wingate netted the lone goal of the first frame off a penalty kick
- Hendry drew the foul inside the box, Kuper finished the PK at the 16:29 mark
- Second goal in as many games for Kuper

SECOND HALF

- In the 59th minute Ditommaso set a through ball from midfield finding Cutts to give Wingate the two-goal edge
- 12 minutes later the Bulldogs would find the back of the net again
- Hendry laid one off with his left foot to find Ngongo, who finished it passed a collapsing keeper
- Third goal in two games as a Bulldog for the freshman Ngongo
 
Up Next

- The Bulldogs are back in action against Nova Southeastern Saturday at 12 p.m.
- WU then hits the road to start conference play at Coker Wednesday, Sept. 18