Wingate, N.C.----The 22nd-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs scored the first eight goals of the game and led by 10 for the final 44 minutes in their 22-9 victory over visiting Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday afternoon in South Atlantic Conference women's lacrosse action at Graham Gill Field. The Bulldogs clinch a first-round bye in the SAC Tournament and improve to 12-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play. The Bears drop to 5-9 overall and 3-4 in league play.
 
KEY STATS
 
- Wingate out-shot Lenoir-Rhyne 47-14
- The Bulldogs enjoyed 35-12 edge in shots on goal
- L-R committed 18 of 28 turnovers
- The 'Dogs were nine-of-10 on clear attempts, while limiting the Bears to eight-of-15
- Wingate recorded 14 of 24 ground balls
- The Bulldogs had 12 free-position shots while holding L-R to none
 
KEY BULLDOGS
 
- Bella Pellet matched a career-high with five goals
- Becca Ruiz added four goals and an assist with seven draw controls and three caused turnovers
- Leah Knowles chipped in two goals and three assists, five DCs and three CTs
- Paige Kamer logged two goals, two assists and three ground balls
- Nelida Watson registered a goal and two assists
- Kayleigh Hiles and Claire Fuchs each scored twice
- Camryn Gallagher, Avery Scherer, Kaleigh Wilgeroth and Blake Clouser found the score sheet for the 'Dogs
- Danielle Scarfogliero, Madi Caldwell and Sophie Gonzalez dished out assists
 
FIRST PERIOD
 
- The 'Dogs once again jumped out to a quick start, scoring three goals in the opening three minutes
- Ruiz, Pellet and Kamer were the goal scorers in the early going
- Kamer and Clouser scored back-to-back within 16 seconds of each other to take a 5-0 lead
- Watson, Knowles and Hiles kept the ball rolling with three more scores to give Wingate an 8-0 lead
- Lenoir-Rhyne got on the board at the 5:16 mark
- Ruiz and Fuchs capped the first-quarter scoring, as the 'Dogs took a commanding 10-1
 
SECOND PERIOD
 
- Knowles triggered the running clock a minute into the second
- Gallagher added Wingate's 12th goal of the opening 18 minutes
- The Bears put another goal on the board with under nine minutes to go
- Pellet and Ruiz scored back-to-back goals, giving WU a 14-2 lead
- L-R's Suzy Smith broke the scoring streak
- Fuchs and Wilgeroth got behind the goalie for Wingate's 16-3 lead at the break
 
THIRD PERIOD
 
- The Bears jumped out in the second half, scoring the first two goals
- Pellet got the scoring started for the Bulldogs in the second half
- Suzy Smith added L-R's third goal of the half, cutting the deficit to 17-6
- Scherer and Ruiz each scored in the final 1:13 of the third, putting the 'Dogs up 19-6
 
FOURTH PERIOD
 
- Pellet put Wingate's 20th goal on the board in the opening minute of the fourth
- The Bears scored back-to-back, cutting the lead to 12
- Pellet added her fifth goal of the afternoon on a Knowles assist with under five minutes to go
- Chloe Christensen scored the final L-R goal at the 3:46 mark
- Hiles solidified the 22-9 final score with under two minutes to go
 
UP NEXT
 
- The 'Dogs celebrate Senior Day on Friday, hosting Mount Olive for a 5 p.m. start
- Senior Day festivities will begin at 4:45 p.m.