Charlotte, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs advanced to the South Atlantic Conference women's soccer championship game on Friday night in thrilling fashion, defeating 20th-ranked Catawba College on an 85th-minute goal from sophomore defender Sascha Larsen. The Bulldogs improve to 11-3-4 overall, while the Indians drop to 15-3-2 on the year. Wingate will play in the SAC title match for the 10th time in 13 years.
 
KEY STATS
 
- Catawba out-shot Wingate 17-3
- The Indians held a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal
- Catawba took eight of nine corner kicks in the match
- WU was called for eight of 14 fouls in the contest; each team received a yellow card

KEY BULLDOGS

- Larsen netted the game-winner
- Yasmin Cowley and Caroline Peters added assists on the play
- Katrine Thisgaard piled up six saves for her eighth shutout of the season
- Alicia Rubio Garcia also recorded a shot on goal for the 'Dogs
 
NOTES
 
- Wingate's 10th conference tournament final appearance in the last 13 seasons
- The Bulldogs are seeking their fourth conference tournament title on Sunday
- WU's first win over Catawba since 2017
- Catawba recorded 3.3 goals per contest this season, the most in the SAC
- Wingate held the Indians scoreless in 180 minutes this season
- Larsen's team-leading seventh goal of the season
- Peters' ninth assist of the season, good for second in the league
- The lowest seed won in each of the four SAC semifinals
 
FIRST HALF
 
- Wingate and Catawba played to a scoreless opening half
- The Indians took all eight shots of the period, but put just one on goal
 
SECOND HALF
 
- Thisgaard posted five saves in the final 45 minutes
- The 'Dogs converted on their lone corner kick of the evening
- Cowley headed it to Larsen, who sent Wingate to the finals with six minutes to go
 
UP NEXT
 
- The Bulldogs square off with five-seed Limestone for the 2022 SAC tournament crown
- The women's final is set for 4 p.m. at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte