Nike/US Lacrosse Preseason Top 20

Wingate, N.C.----Winners of the last three South Atlantic Conference men's lacrosse tournaments, the Wingate University Bulldogs are ranked 14th in the Nike/US Lacrosse NCAA Division II preseason poll, which was released earlier this week.

The Bulldogs are coming off of a shortened 4-2 season in 2020, which included a 13-7 victory over #10 UIndy. Wingate's final game of the season was an 18-7 victory in the SAC opener against Lincoln Memorial. The 'Dogs have won each of the last three SAC Tournament championships, while also capturing the regular season crown in 2019.

Wingate is 41-15 since the start of the 2017 season, going 21-4 in league play. The Bulldogs made their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history in the 2017 season, then earned another bid in the 2019 season.

The Bulldogs return plenty of firepower from a team that was ranked in every poll during the 2020 season. Bobby Padden led the team with 23 points, piling up 13 goals and 10 assists in six games. Willie Grieco led the SAC and ranked fourth in the nation with 3.40 assists per game, handing out 17 assists in five contests while adding four goals.

Danny Riley led the 'Dogs with 16 goals, adding four assists while Adam Vodovnik contributed 14 goals during the shortened season. Noah Ehinger led the league and ranked seventh in the nation in face-off winning percentage, winning 93 of 126 face-offs on the season while ranking fourth nationally with 10.50 ground balls per game.

The Bulldogs led the SAC and ranked 12th nationally in scoring defense last season. Wingate returns seniors Reese Orman, James Houston and Nick Guarino as defensive anchors. Orman led the 'Dogs with nine caused turnovers while picking up 23 ground balls in addition to his two goals and assist on the year.

Houston started all five games he appeared in, registering three caused turnovers and seven ground balls. Guarino added five caused turnovers and five ground balls, starting all six contests. Edward Erickson led the SAC and ranked 10th in the nation in goals-against average in 2020, ranking second in the conference in save percentage.

The SAC is well-represented in the preseason top 20. Wingate is one of four teams ranked. Lenoir-Rhyne is sixth, followed by #9 Limestone and #12 Queens, with the 14th-ranked Bulldogs rounding out the ranked SAC teams.

Wingate opens up the 2021 season Saturday, Feb. 13, hosting Barton at 3 p.m. The 'Dogs are home against Feb. 20 against Montevallo before opening league play Feb. 27 at #9 Limestone.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as six master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 23 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.