Watch on FloSports | Live Stats

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2026 season this weekend, hosting games Friday morning and Saturday morning at Graham Gill Field. The 'Dogs host IUP Friday at 8 a.m., then welcome Frostburg State to town Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Wingate went 11-7 last season, posting a 6-4 record in league play.

The Bulldogs were picked fourth in the preseason SAC poll this season, with five players earning SAC Player to Watch accolades.

"I think the seniors did a good job to set a high expectation throughout the summer," head coach Kat Lind says. "They were very diligent with keeping the team accountable for fitness, and that really showed in our preseason. Our number one goal this season is to consistently play Wingate Field Hockey, not fluctuating to the level of our opponent."

The Bulldogs have a solid group of seniors to lead the way, with three captains that are entering their fourth year at Wingate. "Charne Steyn, Sam Pearson and Jenna Derouaux do such a good job complementing each other, making it a very well-balanced group," Lind says. "All three of them lead by example, following the standard and embedding our culture on the rest of the team."

FORWARDS

Derouaux and junior Amy Rossam lead the way up front for the Bulldogs. Derouaux netted the game-winning goal at LMU last season. "I can definitely see Jenna having a breakthrough season," Lind says. "She has really prepared herself mentally and physically to accomplish the results she has worked so hard for. Amy is an elite finisher that just knows how to score. She is coming back from injury, so she has fire under her to prove what she's capable of."

MIDFIELDER

The midfield is loaded with experience, led by the seniors Steyn and Pearson, along with juniors Grace Gerner and Jordyn Bunting. Steyn, Pearson, Gerner and Bunting all earned SAC Player to Watch accolades this preseason. Gerner is the leading returning scorer, netting six goals and adding three assists last year, tying for the team lead in goals and ranking third in points. Pearson added a goal and six assists, ranking second on the team in assists.

"Our midfield brings high-caliber speed," Lind says. "I think we have a great combination of offensive and defensive middies, which is going to complement our forward line as well as our back line. We also have such good vocal leadership in the midfield."

DEFENSE

The senior Alex Bevan-Xenelis leads the way defensively, along with freshman Ella Peterson and Ella Stonehouse. "Our defensive line is young but very disciplined," Lind says. "With it being such a young core, we're working really hard on becoming a cohesive unit."

GOALIES

The Bulldogs return a pair of goalies in junior Colleen Emanuele and sophomore Ava Fasolo. Emanuele started 10 games last season, piling up 38 saves with a .623 save percentage. Fasolo appeared in a pair of games during her first season with the Bulldogs. "Colleen and Ava both had strong spring seasons and kept that momentum going into this preseason," Lind says. "They are different styles of goalies, they complement each other well, which gives us good options for all scenarios."

SCHEDULE

The Bulldogs will play eight of their first nine games at home to start the season. After opening weekend, Wingate opens SAC play Saturday Sept. 12, when Converse comes to town at 1 p.m., while SAC foe Lander comes to Graham Gill Field the following Saturday at 1 p.m. The 'Dogs host Barton Saturday, Sept. 26 at noon on Senior Day. Wingate welcomes 2025 national runner-up Newberry to town Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. The regular season wraps up Thursday, Nov. 5, when the Bulldogs host Maryville at 4 p.m.