Lynn Ends Wingate's NCAA Men's Soccer Championship Run

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -  Lynn University sophomore forward Jack Winter scored a pair of goals to lead the 11th-ranked Fighting Knights to a 2-0 victory over the Wingate University Bulldogs in an Elite Eight matchup Saturday night at Saints Field.

The result ends a historic run that went deep into the NCAA tournament for the 2012 Wingate men's soccer team, which included the first regional title in program history. Lynn (17-3-1) advances to the Division II Final Four on November 29. Wingate finishes the season with a 13-6-1 record.

"I'm very proud of our team for what they have accomplished over the last two weeks," Wingate head coach Gary Hamill said after the loss. "We're disappointed because you always want to go all the way but we came up a little short. It was a tremendous ride."

Lynn scored a goal in each half to pick up the victory. In the 18th minute, Winter received a cross from defender Michael Kutscher in the middle of the box where he was able to put a low line drive past Wingate sophomore goalkeeperDaniel DeGraff to give the Fighting Knights a 1-0 lead at half. It was the first time the Bulldogs trailed in the tournament. Wingate managed five shots in the first 45 minutes, with three coming from junior midfielder Gui Andrade.

Winter struck again 14 minutes into the second half on a breakaway. Senior midfielderRoberto Cadilhe fed a through ball behind the defense where Winter put it away in the left corner to give Lynn a 2-0 advantage. Wingate took two shots in the second half but couldn't get either one past Lynn senior goalkeeperMatt DiCerbo.

DeGraff finished the match with two saves. He started the final nine matches in the net for the Bulldogs and his three NCAA wins in goal are the most all-time for a Wingate goalkeeper under coach Hamill. DiCerbo also finished with two saves for the Fighting Knights who outshot Wingate 13-7 on the night.

Wingate will bid farewell to three seniors: defender Corey McCollom, forward Gui Lima, and midfielder Joshua Jokic. Jokic played two years for Wingate while McCollom and Lima were four-year starters for Hamill and won 45 matches during their careers. They also won a South Atlantic Conference championship and made three NCAA tournament appearances, including winning this year's Southeast Region title.

"Of course we wanted to advance but we can't be upset with leaving here with a regional title, something it took me 21 years to do," Hamill added. "At the end of the night, we left with our heads held high."

- Wingate media relations