Video | Jack Vundum Interview
Video | Sophia Husted Interview
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Wingate, N.C.----Coming off another NCAA Tournament appearance and playing in the 10th SAC Tournament championship game in the last 13 years, the Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2023 women's soccer season this Thursday, traveling to Barton for a noon start. The 'Dogs went 11-5-4 overall in 2022, with a 4-3-4 record in league play, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after knocking off #12 Catawba in the SAC Tourney semifinals to play in another SAC championship game.

"Our preseason has been short and intense, but excellent," head coach Jack Vundum says. "We are really pleased with the work that we have gotten done. We have been very demanding of them in the first two weeks and have looked to set really high standards in terms of the way we train and in the details that we believe are important in building a championship winning program."

The Bulldogs will have a solid mixture of experienced players along with a solid group of incoming freshmen and transfers. The roster includes six seniors and three graduate students, while also consisting of six freshmen and a pair of transfers.

"The newcomers have been excellent," Vundum says. "We have not babied them at all and I'm sure there has been some nerves, but they've added some really good quality to our team. Their mentality is impressive and they are making our lives difficult when it comes to team selection. This of course is a good problem to have. Katie Ensalaco is on a different level. She will be at the heart of our midfield and has really strengthened our team. Kamryn Browder came in and set a new program record on the mile fitness test. This was nine months post-spinal surgery. Her mentality is like no other. She's different and will bring some real quality in a deeper midfield role or even in some attacking midfield positions. Avery Brown has come in and been brilliant. So positive in wide attacking areas. Great fitness levels and skill. I'm really excited about her season ahead. Angela Maino is another attacking player that brings a lot of speed, skill and work rate. She will cause defenses all kinds of problems. She has also shown how good she can press opponents without the ball too. I wouldn't want to be a defender under pressure from her. Finally, we have had two attacking players transfer in. Julia Boaventura will look to make an impact off the bench. Has a wicked left foot and shows the ability to drift by players. I'm excited to see what she can do. Manu Baptista Filipe has been super impressive and grabbed the winner against USC Aiken in pre-season with a really tidy finish. She is going to help create the team good chances and chip in with goals. A fantastic player and addition for us."

The Bulldogs are no stranger to success, having played in 10 of the last 13 SAC championship games while making seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2011. The 'Dogs advanced to the region title match in 2019. "With the new staff assembled and quality in depth of the team, we believe we have a great opportunity to move the needle in terms of our performance on the pitch and some standards off it," Vundum says. "I sense some real self-belief and determination in returning players and a lot of hunger and confidence in the younger crew. I believe it can be our best season yet. In that sense, it will be the most intense yet, one that demands discipline and sacrifice daily. They have shown good intention early in terms of what kind of team they want to be this year. The challenge for them now is to show consistency and find that one percent improvement each day. We feel as though we are stronger in every department this year and those experiences in the SAC Final and NCAA Tournament are part of our growth. We want to compete in big games again this year and we are going to start with the conference title. We know it won't be easy with the quality of programs in the SAC. There are some super teams but we are ready to attack it, we are committed to becoming elite and we have been working hard for several months now. Now it's go time, the best time of the year!"

GOALKEPEER

The Bulldogs return All-SAC goalkeeper Katrine Thisgaard, who posted a 0.75 goals-against average and .815 save percentage, ranking in the top three in the SAC in both categories while ranking second with eight shutouts.

"In Katrine Thisgaard, we have a top-notch goalkeeper," Vundum says. "She has stepped into a leadership role and will be an important part of the way we play both in and out of possession."

DEFENSE

The defense will be anchored by a pair of All-SAC defenders in Sascha Larsen and Nicole Cristy, who helped the Bulldogs post a 0.75 goals-against average and register eight shutouts. Larsen was also a force on the offensive end, leading the Bulldogs with seven goals including four game-winning goals. In addition, Laura Holt returns to the defense after appearing in all 20 contests last season.

"Sascha has a brilliant soccer IQ and provides us great stability and strength defensively," Vundum says. "In possession she has the ability to change the pace of the game with her technique and range of passing. We hope she can hit the numbers goal-scoring wise from last year. Seven is a lofty number for a defender but she's a huge threat from set pieces. We may have to use her slightly differently this year. Nicole has developed a really good attacking side to her game we may utilize her in multiple positions depending on the game situation. Her physicality and quality in possession allow us to play out from the back. Laura is a second-year player who brings a lot of pace in 1v1 defensive situations. She has excellent ability on the ball and will be an important player this year."

MIDFIELD 

The Bulldogs return All-SAC and All-Region midfielder Caroline Peters in the midfield. The graduate student had four goals and nine assists last season, leading the team in assists and points. Fellow All-SAC graduate student Brianna Ditillo is another huge part of the midfield, registering three goals and four assists last season. They are joined by the freshman Ensalaco.

"Caroline is a league-leading player," Vundum says. "I'm sure other teams are disappointed to hear she is coming back. I just enjoy watching her play and compete. Katie is a freshman who plays like a fifth-year senior. She is immense and has terrific technique and ability, and so strong without the ball too. She will playing in a deeper role this first year with the experience and quality we have higher up the pitch. I think long term we see her in more advanced positions. Brianna can play in multiple positions for us. She is so dynamic and is looking to score and create more goals this year. She had a hat trick in one preseason game and has looked dangerous coming off the left."

FORWARD

Sophia Husted leads the way at the forward position for the 'Dogs. She collected three goals and two assists in 2022, netting a pair of game-winning goals. She had a goal and an assist in the SAC Tourney victory at Carson-Newman in the opening round.

"Sophia works her socks off for the team and has good pace and movement in behind," Vundum says. "I know she's hungry for goals, so let's see what she can do this year. Big year ahead."

SCHEDULE

The Bulldogs open up the season with back-to-back road games, coming home for the first time on Sept. 9, hosting Belmont Abbey to open a four-game home stand. That concludes with home contests against Carson-Newman and defending regular season SAC champs Catawba. The 'Dogs have another big week at home when Lenoir-Rhyne comes to Pride Park Sept. 30, followed by a visit from Limestone Oct. 4. Wingate wraps up the regular season at home, hosting Coker Nov. 1.