NCAA D2 MLAX Bracket

Indianapolis, Ind.----The South Atlantic Conference tournament champion Wingate University Bulldogs have earned a bid to the NCAA Division II men's lacrosse tournament, earning the five seed in the South Region. The full field was announced Sunday night. The Bulldogs will face fourth-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne in the opening round Wednesday, May 7 at 4 p.m. in Hickory, N.C. The SAC Tourney champs enter tourney play at 14-4 overall, riding a four-game winning streak with three of those wins coming against top-15 teams. The 'Dogs were ranked #10 in the most recent USILA top 20 poll.

Tampa is the number one seed, with Limestone earning the two seed. Anderson is the three seed, followed by Lenoir-Rhyne and Wingate. Maryville is sixth, with North Greenville and Colorado Mesa rounding out the region.

The Bulldogs will be making their seventh appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament. This will be their sixth appearance in the last eight seasons. Prior to the trip in 2017, Wingate's only appearance came in 2001. This is the fifth appearance in the last six seasons for the 'Dogs. The Bulldogs advanced to the national semifinals in 2021.

Wingate is in the NCAA Tournament thanks to an incredible run through the SAC Tournament. The 'Dogs opened tourney play with a 12-11 double overtime victory at #13 Newberry, then won 17-16 at #2 Limestone in overtime in the semifinals. Wingate prevailed 17-11 over #7 Anderson to capture the fourth SAC Tournament title in program history on Saturday.

The Bulldogs rank third nationally in points and assists, while ranking fifth in scoring offense and seventh in scoring margin. Wingate ranks second in the SAC in scoring defense, while leading the league and ranking 16th nationally in caused turnovers.

Wingate is led by SAC Offensive Player of the Year Kyle Spence, the nation's leader in points and assists. The junior has 34 goals and 68 assists on the year for a nation's-best 102 points, the only player in the country with over 100 points this year. The SAC Tourney MVP handed out seven assists in the championship game. Sean Clark has piled up 50 goals and 21 assists, with Vinny Butrico adding 46 goals and 14 assists. Joey Moran has contributed 47 goals and nine assists on the year, with Sam Goss adding 25 goals and 15 assists.

All-American Peyton Farley has once again anchored the defense, notching a team-best 27 caused turnovers, adding 38 ground balls. Nick Arnold and Sam Deardorff have 21 CTs apiece, with Graham Tillett and Dom Gullace notching 15 CTs each. Quad Williams is the SAC leader in save percentage and goals-against average, piling up 160 saves on the year.

Logan Spaeth has won 138 of his 233 face-offs, adding 71 ground balls and two goals. Dylan Rupprecht has won 119 of 231 face-offs to go along with 58 ground balls, five goals and two assists.

The Bulldogs and Bears met in early March in the Crown Classic in Charlotte, with the Bears winning a 9-6 defensive battle. The winner of Wednesday's contest will advance to take on the winner of the Tampa vs. Colorado Mesa game. That region semifinal contest will take place Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m. The winner of that is on to the National Semifinals May 18, with the national title game slated for May 25 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

NCAA D2 South Region

Wednesday, May 7
4 p.m. - #5 Wingate at #4 Lenoir-Rhyne
4 p.m. - #8 Colorado Mesa at #1 Tampa
4 p.m. - #6 Maryville at #3 Anderson
4 p.m. - #7 North Greenville at #2 Limestone

Sunday, May 11
1 p.m. - WU-LR winner vs. CMU-UT winner
1 p.m. - MU-AU winner vs. NGU-LU winner

Sunday, May 18
1 p.m. - Region Championship Game (National Semifinals)