Belmont, N.C.—-The Wingate University Bulldogs picked up their second victory of the 2022 season, scoring 12 of the first 13 goals on Saturday afternoon in a 16-7 victory at Belmont Abbey College in NCAA Division II women's lacrosse action. Wingate improves to 2-0 on the season, while the Crusaders fall to 1-2.
 
KEY STATS
 
- Wingate out-shot Belmont Abbey 32-24
- Each team committed 11 turnovers
- The Bulldogs held a slight 15-14 advantage in ground balls
- WU was a perfect 15-for-15 on clear attempts; BAC was 12-for-15
 
KEY BULLDOGS
 
- Leah Knowles led the Bulldogs with four goals, four draw controls and two assists
- Becca Ruiz had three goals, five draw controls and an assist
- Madi Caldwell had two goals and two assists
- Abby Burke added two goals
- Danielle Scarfogliero, Claire Fuchs, Nelida Watson, Kaleigh Wilgeroth, Sophie Gonzalez each contributed a goal apiece
- Megan Biase notched nine saves, earning the win
 
FIRST PERIOD
 
- Wingate scored all nine goals in the first period
- Scarfogliero got the 'Dogs on the board just over a minute in
- Ruiz scored from a free position and Knowles scored her first two goals
- Burke scored the fifth goal for WU at the 9:17 mark, before Knowles added her third and fourth goals of the opening seven minutes
- Caldwell and Ruiz scored to give Wingate a 9-0 lead at the end of the first
 
SECOND PERIOD
 
- Riley D'Andrea scored from a free position goal to put BAC on the board in the second
- Watson scored with 9:10 remaining in the half off an assist from Knowles
- Caldwell and Wilgeroth scored the final two goals of the half, giving the 'Dogs a 12-1 lead at the break
 
THIRD PERIOD
 
- Emma Pherson and McKenzie Kaderabek scored the opening two goals of the second half, cutting their deficit to single digits
- Fuchs scored WU's first goal of the second half at the 7:08 mark
- Burke's free position goal extended the Bulldog lead to 14-3 at the end of three periods
 
FOURTH QUARTER
 
- Jenn Smith opened the fourth period with a goal for the Crusaders
- Ruiz and Gonzalez scored back-to-back to take a 16-4 lead
- Reilly McCarthy, D'Andrea and Kate Roberts scored for Belmont Abbey to close the game
 
UP NEXT
 
- The Bulldogs return to Graham Gill Field on Friday, Feb. 25, hosting Young Harris at 4 p.m.
- Wingate opens up SAC play at home on Saturday, March 5, facing Limestone at 1 p.m.