Wingate, N.C.----The top-seeded and 18th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs rolled to a 3-0 victory over eight-seed Mars Hill University in South Atlantic Conference men's soccer quarterfinal action at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs improve to 10-3-5 overall and advance to the SAC Semifinals in Charlotte next Friday. The Lions end their season at 8-7-2 overall.
KEY STATS
- Mars Hill out-shot Wingate 13-8
- Each team put five shots on goal
- The Lions took nine of 11 corner kicks in the contest
- WU was called for 28 of 42 fouls on the afternoon
- The Bulldogs received four of six yellow cards and two of three red cards in the match
KEY BULLDOGS
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Emil Svenander led the 'Dogs offensively, scoring two goals
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Gui Fontes recorded the other goal for Wingate
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William Persson and
Pedro Santos notched assists on Svenander's opening goal
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Niclas Wittur dished out the assist on Fontes' score
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Aleksa Janjic recorded five saves for his fifth straight shutout
NOTES
- Wingate advances to the SAC Semifinal round on Friday, Nov. 4
- The 'Dogs have reached the semifinal round three of the last four seasons
- WU is unbeaten at Pride Park this season at 5-0-3 this season
- The Bulldogs improve to 13-11-3 all-time versus MHU; 8-3-2 at Pride Park
- Svenander's team-leading seventh goal of the season
- The freshman forward has scored six goals in his last four contests
- Fontes' second career goal
- Janjic's SAC-leading seventh shutout; the 'Dogs have not allowed a goal since October 12
- Wingate leads the conference in save percentage and goals against average
FIRST HALF
- Svenander broke the scoreless match in the 17th minute off assists from Persson and Santos
- The 'Dogs held off an 8-4 shot advantage from Mars Hill in the opening 45 minutes, taking the 1-0 lead into halftime
SECOND HALF
- Fontes doubled the lead off a Wittur assist in the 73rd minute
- Svenander iced the result with a breakaway goal in the 88th minute
- The match's final 20 minutes saw four yellow cards and three red cards
UP NEXT
- Wingate heads to the SAC Semis Friday, taking on four-seed Lenoir-Rhyne
- The match will begin from American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte at 11 a.m.
