Wingate Downs Belmont Abbey to Reach NCAA Women's Soccer Elite Eight

WINGATE, N.C. - Playing in front of a capacity crowd at the Wingate University Soccer Complex, the top-seeded and 21st-ranked Wingate Bulldogs defeated Belmont Abbey College 2-0 in the NCAA Southeast regional championship match Friday night. Wingate improves to 16-2-4 overall, advancing to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The Crusaders end their season at 15-4-4 overall.

"I thought the girls played well, played hard, and played aggressive," head coach Chip Wiggins says. "To Belmont Abbey's credit, they came out with a lot of energy in the second half and put us under pressure. We withstood the initial wave, calmed down and played the way we wanted to."

The Bulldogs are making only their third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Wingate's first appearance came in 2011 after winning the first SAC Tournament title in Wingate women's soccer history. The Bulldogs advanced in NCAA Tournament play for the first time in program history by outlasting Columbus State in penalty kicks last Sunday. Friday's win over Belmont Abbey is the first NCAA Tournament victory for Wingate.

"Last week's game gave us confidence that we can do this," Wiggins says. "We know that we can come out here and play with anyone."

Wingate got on the board 24 minutes into the contest when redshirt junior defender Brandi Baldwin (Indian Trail, N.C.) took a loose ball off a corner kick in the middle of the box and ripped one past the keeper to make it 1-0. It was the second goal of the season for the second team All-SAC performer.

The Bulldogs held a 1-0 lead at halftime, outshooting Belmont Abbey 5-3, while holding a 3-1 edge in shots on goal.

Wingate got an insurance goal 19 minutes into the second half, when a cross from senior midfielder Taryn Grivois(Murrieta, Calif.) was headed home by senior forward Chandler Murphy (Pawleys Island, S.C.) to make it 2-0. It is the second goal in as many NCAA Tournament games for the first team All-SAC selection, while the first team All-SAC midfielder Grivois registered her seventh assist of the year.

The Bulldogs finished the match with a 13-12 advantage in shots, including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Two-time SAC Player of the Year Jade Montgomery (Monroe, N.C.) took a game-high six shots for Wingate. Junior goalkeeperAshlyn Hardie (Summerfield, N.C.) registered five saves to notch her eighth shutout of the season. Hannah Kohls had six saves for the Crusaders.

Wingate moves on to the NCAA Elite Eight, taking on third-ranked and defending national champion West Florida Sunday at 2 p.m. The Argonauts won the South Region Friday night, defeating Rollins 1-0 at the WU Soccer Complex.

"It's still shocking to even be in this situation," Grivois says. "I just told everyone before the game to relax, play how we know how. We found a way to win last week and we found a way again today."

The Bulldogs will host Sunday's national quarterfinal match at 2 p.m. "The girls will enjoy the win tonight." Wiggins says. "I want them to be proud of the effort, take a step back and realize where we are, and it's all because of their hard work. It's an honor to play a team like West Florida on our home field. I think it will be a great experience."

- Wingate media relations