Wingate Punches Ticket to NCAA Men's Soccer Elite Eight

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Wingate University senior forward Gui Lima and freshman midfielder John Currie scored goals as the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship Elite Eight with a 2-1 victory over No. 17 Flagler College Thursday night at Saints Field.

Wingate (13-5-1 overall) will face number No. 11 Lynn (16-3-1 overall) Saturday night in the Super Region II championship contest 

"We'll enjoy this tonight and go back to work in the morning," Wingate head coach Gary Hamill says. "I'm ecstatic for our team, because it's been such an emotional ride the last two weeks. I've waited 20 years for a regional championship...this is really special. Our next goal is the Final Four. We'll be facing a very tough Lynn team, but we're up for the challenge."

Wingate struck first, scoring 76 seconds into the match. Bulldog sophomore forward Peron Da Silva made a great touch to Lima, who played the ball past the defender and Flagler sophomore goalkeeper Camp Bissell in the lower right-hand corner. Lima has five goals this season.

In the 21st minute, a Flagler defender headed the ball towards Bissell, who had come out to make a play on the ball. Currie finished for his second goal of the season. Wingate had a great chance four minutes earlier, when Da Silva found freshman midfielder Shaun Gadsby on the left side of the box. Bissell made the save to keep the score 1-0.

Flagler cut the deficit in half, taking advantage of an own goal in the 24th minute. A Wingate defender tried to clear ball, which ricocheted off a teammate and into the goal. The score would stay 2-1 Wingate as the two teams entered the halftime break.

The Saints had three excellent opportunities after intermission. In the 59th minute, a ball teetered near the Wingate goal line. Eleven minutes later, Flagler played a through ball to sophomore midfielder Stephen Pratt. Bulldog sophomore goalkeeper Daniel DeGraff made the save to keep the Saints at bay.

With 73 seconds to play in regulation, Flagler freshman forward Jonny Cosgrove struck a header which DeGraff saved. The Saints earned a 10-9 edge in shots. Flagler had six shots on goal, compared to four for Wingate.

DeGraff had five saves for the visiting Bulldogs. Bissell recorded two saves for the host Saints. Flagler held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. Wingate's victory evens the lifetime series with Flagler at two wins each. Both Bulldog wins are NCAA post-season triumphs. The victory gives Wingate head coach Gary Hamill 249 career victories in his illustrious Bulldog career.

- Wingate media relations