Wingate, N.C.----The 15th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs were in control all afternoon in Saturday's season opener, cruising to a 20-3 victory over visiting Barton College in NCAA Division II men's lacrosse action. The 'Dogs open the season 1-0 while Barton falls to 1-1 on the year.

THOUGHTS FROM TIM BOYLE

"As the first whistle blew today you could just feel the sigh of relief from everyone. We were back where we belong, on the field competing and we were together. The boys played with passion and purpose from the start. We had some strong production from our returners on both sides of the ball and we were also able to get some quality time for some of the newcomers which is always good. We look forward to getting back to work Monday so we can prepare for Montavallo."
 
KEY STATS

- Wingate out-shot Barton 64-18
- The Bulldogs held a 41-11 advantage in shots on goal
- Each team had 21 turnovers
- Wingate picked up 38 ground balls, Barton picked up 26
- The 'Dogs won 18-of-27 face-offs
- Wingate was successful on all clear attempts, while Barton was successful on 24 of 25
- Barton went zero-for-three on extra-man opportunities, while Wingate was one-for-one

KEY BULLDOGS

- Adam Vodovnik had six goals and two assists to lead the attack
- Danny Riley scored three goals on the afternoon
- Willie Grieco added two goals, three assists and five ground balls
- Bobby Padden had two goals and one assist
- Gary Pierpont, Noah Taylor, and Tyler Dooley contributed two goals apiece
- Mark Taccard had a goal and four ground balls
- James Houston had three caused turnovers
- Noah Ehinger went 12-for-16 on face-offs, while James Kotcamp went six-for-11
- Edward Erickson registered five saves; Brendan Grove had three saves without allowing a goal

NOTES

- First ever meeting between Wingate and Barton
- First game for the Bulldogs since March 7, 2020
- The 'Dogs have now scored 47 goals in their last three games
- Fifth straight season-opening victory for the Bulldogs
- First time scoring 20 goals since April 10, 2019 against Coker
- Largest margin of victory since a 27-0 win against Lees-McRae in 2014
- Fewest goals allowed by Wingate since last year's season opener against North Greenville
- Career high goals and points for Vodovnik
- Third time Riley has scored at least three goals in a game
- Grieco has had at least three points in seven straight games, dating back to the start of 2020
- Sixth straight multi-goal game for Padden
- Third career multi-goal game for Pierpont; first since the Feb. 23, 2019 game against Rollins
- Third career goal for Taccard
- Houston's three caused turnovers are one shy of a career high
- First collegiate goals for freshmen Taylor and Dooley
- Grove registered three saves in his collegiate debut

FIRST PERIOD

- Wingate scored the first four, with goals from Riley, Grieco and Vodovnik
- Wingate's held Barton scoreless in the opening frame
- Vodovnik and Riley scored in a 60-second span to put the 'Dogs on top 4-0

SECOND PERIOD

- Pierpont extended the Bulldog lead to 5-0 less than two minutes into the second quarter
- Vodovnik scored his second goal of the game with 6:13 left in the half
- Padden scored to put the 'Dogs on top at 7-1 with 4:41 to go in the second quarter
- Vodovnik scored twice in a 30-second span to extend the lead 9-1 at the half

THIRD PERIOD
 
- Taccard scored a goal just under two minutes into the second half
- Padden, Vodovnik, and Riley added three more goals for the Bulldogs in under five minutes
- Pierpont scored the final goal of the third frame, assisted by Vodovnik to make it 14-2
 
FOURTH QUARTER
 
- Taylor and Grieco scored within 20 seconds of each other to extend the lead to 16-3
- Vodovnik scored on man-up with 9:06 to go
- Dooley netted a pair of goals in a two-minute span to push the lead to 16
- Taylor scored the final goal with 2:35 left in the game, making the final margin 20-3
 
UP NEXT

- Wingate is back home next Saturday, hosting Montevallo at 1 p.m.
- The 'Dogs open SAC play at Limestone Saturday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.