Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs begin their second year in program history Monday afternoon, hosting Frostburg State at 12 p.m. Wingate picked up a pair of conference wins in its inaugural season in 2022, closing out the year in style, winning 7-2 at Lincoln Memorial.

"This preseason has been fantastic," head coach Kat Lind says. "The energy has been amazing and we have worked hard to develop a great culture. Our returning class has stepped up leadership-wise, keeping themselves and the freshmen accountable. They are eager to improve every day; practices are always productive. The pressure to be successful as a year-one program at such a successful school like Wingate was a challenge last year, but now we are all more comfortable as a unit and just excited to start the season."

The Bulldogs have some solid veterans who have stepped up into leadership roles this year. "Rylie Cordrey, Riley Robertson and Kayleigh Haines do a great job making are team be more vocal and more engaging," Lind says. "They are our three team captains and do a great job of hyping up the team every day."

"I'm really proud of the team," Lind says. "Starting last spring and through the fall, everyone giving their best effort to make this year special. The hardships of starting a new program, that was a lot of adversity to face, and it has made them a tougher group this year."

GOALIES

The Bulldogs return preseason All-SAC goalie Hannah Colavita-Jones. She ranked second in the nation with 7.29 saves per game last season, ranking fifth in the conference in save percentage. She is joined by freshman Brenna Lincoln.

"Hannah being a preseason all-conference goalie is great," Lind says. "And now having Brenna as competition, they both push each other every day to be their best."

DEFENSE

The defense is anchored by sophomore Makenna West and freshman Novy Schrijvers. "The defense has stepped up so much vocally," Lind says. "They're doing a good job of organizing the other lines on the field, they've been very vocal, they trust each other in high pressure situations inside our 25. MaKenna has been a standout in the organization, and now having Novy there, with her field vision as a center back, it has been able to minimize our opponents' opportunities in the middle of the field."

MIDFIELD

The midfield will be led by Cordrey, an All-SAC performer at Coker two years ago, helping lead the Cobras to the conference title. She will be joined by freshman Charne Steyn to lead the midfield group.

"This has been a good group," Lind says. "They're good at recognizing when to break out on offense, but also recover quickly in defensive situations. Rylie has been great to have in there; she's just so good at creating opportunities with her passing and receiving. Charne has incredible speed, and she uses that to create chances for us. She is so fearless."  

FORWARDS

The forwards will be led by the sophomore Robinson and freshman Sam Pearson. Robinson registered a goal and three assists as a freshman last year. "Going into this year, this group is connecting passes and has been great at creating offensive opportunities," Lind says. "They are working a lot better together as a group. Riley's ball handling skills are fantastic; she does a great job in high pressure situations and is able to make plays when it's tough. Sam is another player who is good at finishing in tough chances."

SCHEDULE

The Bulldogs open things up with back-to-back home games, welcoming Frostburg State to Graham Gill Field Monday at noon, then hosting Coker in the SAC opener Tuesday at 6 p.m. The 'Dogs hit the road for back-to-back league contests against Belmont Abbey and Mount Olive before returning home Sept. 16 to host Limestone, opening up a three-game homestand. Wingate wraps up the home slate with another three-game homestand, starting Oct. 17 when Lander comes to town. The final regular season home contest will be Sunday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. against Maryville, while the regular season wraps up Oct. 25 at Coker.