Wingate, N.C.----Winners of back-to-back regular season SAC titles, the Wingate University Bulldogs open up the 2025 season at home this weekend, hosting Florida Tech Saturday at 1 p.m. at Irwin Belk Stadium and Founders Field. The Bulldogs went 13-5 last season, with a 9-1 mark in league play. Wingate is 19-1 in SAC play over the last two years, collecting three SAC championships.

The Bulldogs were picked second in the preseason SAC poll, with a league-best seven preseason all-conference honorees including a SAC-best five first team selections.

"We are really excited for the 2025 season," head coach Abby Wiley says. "We have lots of depth at every position, excited to see how many contributors we have all over the field. We've got a lot of leadership with this team, considering we have 12 seniors. They have done a phenomenal job of instilling the culture here."

Two big changes for Division II women's lacrosse this season are the region realignments and the addition of automatic qualifiers. "This year we are in the Atlantic region, so it's been exciting to add some teams up north to our schedule," Wiley says. "Also, with the addition of AQs this year, we are determined to push our season into May."

GOALIE

Senior Riley Boone takes over as the starting goalie this season. She appeared in 10 games last year, posting a 5.76 goals-against average while collecting 11 saves. "Riley had a fantastic fall and preseason," Wiley says. "She has really stepped up into a leadership role and we're excited to see what she accomplishes this year."

DEFENSE

The Bulldogs have been among the nation's elite units defensively over the past couple of years. After leading the nation in caused turnovers in 2023, the 'Dogs ranked eighth in 2024. Wingate has ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense each of the last two seasons, leading the nation in the category in 2023.

The group is led by preseason first team All-SAC selections Krysta Churns and Kathryn McCabe, along with second team honoree Chloe Herring and sophomore Katie Field. Churns piled up 25 CTs and 31 ground balls last season, with Herring causing 16 turnovers and picking up 15 ground balls. Field had 19 ground balls to go along with 11 caused turnovers. McCabe led the SAC and ranked eighth nationally in draw controls at Anderson in 2024 to earn second team all-conference accolades.

"We have three returning starters in Chloe, Katie and Krysta," Wiley says. "Each of them brings a lot of leadership and experience to the defense. We're also super excited with the addition of Kathryn to our defense. She brings a lot of talent on the draw circle along with her grittiness. Haley McCourt missed last year due to injury; we're excited for her to step back onto the field this year."

MIDFIELD

The Bulldogs have plenty of experience in the midfield, led by seniors Claire Fuchs, Megan Millard and Avery Scherer, along with graduate student Emily Blakely. Fuchs is a preseason first team All-SAC honoree, with Blakely picking up second team accolades. Fuchs had 25 goals, 30 assists, 71 draw controls and 22 ground balls last season, adding 13 CTs. Blakely contributed 13 goals and 14 assists along with 28 draw controls and 19 ground balls, while Millard battled through injury to collect 15 goals, five assists and 24 draw controls in eight games.  

"We have four returning seniors in the midfield in Claire, Megan, Emily and Avery," Wiley says. "They each have their own skill set that they bring to the field and work really well with one another. Bree Solero had a great fall and has shown her coachability and determination. Lastly, Jamie Weber is a new addition to the team, transferring from Division I. Her enthusiasm and passion embody Wingate's culture."

ATTACK

The attack position is led by seniors Kaleigh Wilgeroth and Nelida Watson, a pair of preseason first team All-SAC selections. Wilgeroth led the Bulldogs with 77 points last year, piling up 40 goals and a team-best 37 assists. Watson had 37 goals and 15 assists last year. Julia Garvin added 13 goals and 13 assists, with Danielle Scarfogliero contributing 15 goals and 10 assists.

"Kaleigh and Nelida have played vital roles in our offensive scheme in the past, and they'll be important for us once again this year," Wiley says. "We're excited to have Julia, Danielle and Meghan Higgins added into the mix. Evelynn Buckmaster is a freshman who had a slow start to the fall coming off an injury, but has been stepping up in the spring and we're excited to see her contribution to the offense."

"Coach Schappert has done a fabulous job stepping into her role as Associate Head Coach," Wiley says. "Her defensive mindset and coaching technique have brought our defense to a new level. We are excited to have Leah Knowles join our coaching staff after a fabulous career at Wingate."