VIDEO | Abby Wiley Interview
VIDEO | Bella Pellet Interview

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's lacrosse seasons get underway this week, with the Bulldogs hosting Belmont Abbey Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Irwin Belk Stadium. The Bulldogs are coming off a historic season in 2022, going 15-4 overall and 9-1 in SAC play.

The 2022 season saw the 'Dogs set a program record with 15 wins and nine SAC victories. Wingate advanced to the SAC title game for the second time in program history. The Bulldogs earned their first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament. Wingate also appeared in the IWLCA top 25 poll for the first time ever. The 'Dogs are ranked 13th in the preseason IWLCA poll, the highest ranking in program history. Wingate is the preseason SAC favorite for the first time ever, with nine Bulldogs earning preseason all-conference honors.

"We are hitting new levels and we're setting the bar high right now," head coach Abby Wiley says. "Last year was a record-breaking year for us, but we want this year to be even better. We return all but one of our players, gaining five freshmen and it has really pushed our team to new levels."

The Bulldogs are loaded with talent and experience, with a roster featuring five seniors and four graduate students. "With so much leadership, it's been a smooth preseason," Wiley says. "Half of our team is upperclassmen. The expectation has been set by the upper classmen, they just do such a great job of setting the tone for what is expected."

Wiley is now in her fifth year as the Wingate head coach, earning SAC Coach of the Year honors each of the last two seasons. Delaney Schappert was promoted to the Assistant Coach position after spending the last two years as the Graduate Assistant Coach, while Angelina Perrone is in her first year at Wingate as the Graduate Assistant Coach. "I've been able to focus more on the offensive side of the ball considering our new full-time assistant has taken the defense under her wing," Wiley says. "Delaney entering her third year here is really pushing our defense to new heights. I've been very impressed with her and what she has added to the team. Coach Perrone is also a vital role to our offensive success."

ATTACK

The attack is led by preseason third team All-SAC honoree Paige Kamer, with freshman Julia Garvin also looking to make an immediate impact. Sophomore Nelida Watson is also a preseason All-SAC honoree, with classmates Danielle Scarfogliero, Meghan Higgins and Kaleigh Wilgeroth also playing key roles in the attack, alongside junior Madi Caldwell.

Kamer led the Bulldogs with 32 assists last season, adding 21 goals to rank third on the squad with 53 points. Watson registered 20 goals and 10 assists in her freshman season, while Scarfogliero had 16 goals and 14 assists on the year. Wilgeroth contributed 17 goals and four assists as a freshman, while Caldwell had nine goals and 10 assists in her sophomore season.

"Paige has really taken the underclassmen under her wing," Wiley says. "Julia and her have really worked well together, and it's nice to have Paige on the field as a mentor for Julia. Nelida, Danielle, Meghan, Madi and Kaleigh will add so much quality depth for our team at the attack position."

MIDFIELD

The midfield will be led by the All-American Leah Knowles. The senior did it all for the Bulldogs last year, piling up 64 goals, 25 assists, 90 draw controls, 46 ground balls and 48 caused turnovers. She led the team in goals, points, ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers, while being named the SAC Offensive Player of the Year. She is joined in the midfield by fellow preseason first team all-conference honorees in Becca Ruiz and Bella Pellet. Sophomore Avery Scherer is another preseason All-SAC selection in the midfield, with juniors Emily Blakely and Blake Clouser along with sophomore Claire Fuchs also playing key roles in the midfield.

Ruiz piled up 45 goals, 13 assists, 79 draw controls, 22 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers in 2022 to earn honorable mention All-American honors from USA Lacrosse Magazine. Pellet finished third on the team with 44 goals last season, adding 25 ground balls, 24 CTs and 12 draw controls. Scherer had 15 goals and four assists to go along with 13 ground balls, 18 draw controls and seven CTs. Fuchs registered 12 goals, six assists, 19 draw controls, 13 ground balls and six CTs in her freshman season.

"Leah just keeps getting better," Wiley says. "She challenges herself every day to get better, puts in a ton of work, and it continues to show on the field. Becca and Bella are fifth-year seniors and we're so excited to have their leadership on the field and their experience. Avery and Claire, along with Emily and Blake are all instrumental to our team success."

DEFENSE

Wingate returns plenty on the defense as well, from a unit that posted a program-record 9.63 goals-against average in 2022. Caroline Heffner returns after missing all of the 2022 season; she was a second team All-SAC honoree in 2021. Joining her on defense is preseason first team All-SAC honoree Emily Phipps, along with the preseason third team all-conference selection Haley McCourt. Freshman Katie Koroly will look to make in immediate impact on the defense, with juniors Kirsten Chalmers and Julia Piazza and freshman Krysta Churns also playing key roles.

Phipps started all 19 games last season, registering 16 caused turnovers and 36 ground balls while also notching a goal and two assists. Heffner started all 14 games in 2021, collecting 22 ground balls and 12 CTs. McCourt appeared in all 19 games during her freshman season, making 18 starts while collecting 22 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. Chalmers contributed six ground balls and six CTs, with Piazza adding six ground balls and seven CTs in 2022.

"We're excited to have Caroline coming back after a season-ending injury last season," Wiley says. "It will be great to have that leadership and voice back out there. Emily's aggressiveness and speed makes a huge impact on the defensive side. Haley has improved a lot since her freshman year, she's much more vocal, has a great lacrosse IQ and she's been able to be a bigger leader when it comes to using her voice. Katie has made a huge impact already as a freshman and is going to play a key role. She's extremely reactive and is going to be a force on the defense. Kirsten, Julia and Krista will all be key contributors as well."

GOALIE

Senior Megan Biase is the preseason first team All-SAC goalie after earning all-conference accolades in 2022. She was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Biase compiled a 10.94 goals-against average and .421 save percentage last season, playing over 860 minutes in goal while compiling a 14-4 record. Riley Boone is also back for the Bulldogs, after appearing in nine games last season. She played over 130 minutes last year, allowing just 13 goals while registering 13 saves on the season.

"Megan has been looking great in the preseason," Wiley says. "Riley has really elevated her game and both have been challenging each other at practice, which is great because Megan has never really had that challenge, so her game has been elevated. Megan is playing the best I've ever seen her play, and I think it's because Riley has been so impressive and is challenging her."

SCHEDULE

After Wednesday's season opener, the 'Dogs hit the road to play at Young Harris on Sunday. Wingate is then back home the following Sunday, Feb. 19 to host #4 Florida Southern. The Bulldogs open March with three straight home games, opening SAC play March 4 against Tusculum while welcoming #7 Tampa to two days later. Wingate travels to #23 Mount Olive late in the season. The Bulldogs close out the regular season at Limestone, picked second in the preseason SAC poll and receiving votes in the IWLCA top 25.