Hickory, N.C.----Wingate University freshman forward Emil Svenander netted the game-winner in the 88th minute Saturday evening, capping a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory for the Bulldogs at Lenoir-Rhyne in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer action. The Bulldogs improve to 3-3-4 on the season and 2-1-3 in the SAC, while the Bears drop to 6-3-1 and 3-3 in league play.
 
KEY STATS
 
- Lenoir-Rhyne out-shot Wingate 16-11
- The Bulldogs held a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal
- LR took all four corner kicks in the contest
- WU was called for 21 of 37 fouls on the afternoon
 
KEY BULLDOGS
 
- Svenander scored the winner in the 88th minute for his first career goal
- David Sahakyan netted the equalizer in the 70th minute for his first goal as a Bulldog
- Mattis Westberg recorded the assist on the Sahakyan goal, while adding two more shots on goal
- Devin Scully, Owen Marshall and William Persson also put shots on frame
- Aleksa Janjic made four saves in goal
 
NOTES
 
- Marks the second consecutive match in which the 'Dogs have scored in the 88th minute to earn a result
- Wingate improves to 27-14-2 all-time versus Lenoir-Rhyne
- The Bulldogs are now 12-8 in Hickory
- First winner in the final 30 minutes for Wingate this season
 
FIRST HALF
 
- LR's Luis Hernandez scored less than 90 seconds in to give the Bears an early 1-0 lead
- The Bears kept the Wingate offense in check in the opening 45 minutes, as the Bulldogs only attempted one shot in the period
 
SECOND HALF
 
- The offensive tide began to turn Wingate's way in the second half
- Marshall's header in the 54th minute was saved
- Persson's shot on goal was saved in the 64th minute
- Sahakyan scored the equalizer in the 70th minute off a Westberg assist
- Scully and Westberg had chances for a winner, but both were saved
- Svenander broke through for the winner in the 88th minute
 
UP NEXT
 
- The 'Dogs head to Gaffney on Wednesday, facing Limestone in a 7:30 p.m. start