WINGATE, N.C. — Goals in each half helped fifth-ranked Wingate University to a 2-1 victory over Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference men’s soccer Saturday afternoon.
Leroy Best scored in the 20th minute and Petar Roganovic in the 50th minute for the Bulldogs (3-0-1, 1-0-0 SAC), with both goals assisted by Fabio Rodrigues. Mason Clark scored his first collegiate goal in the 55th minute for the Pioneers (0-2-0, 0-1-0 SAC).
Tusculum had the first chance in the third minute as Clarenns Sainrimat took a shot from 10 yards that caromed off the leg of keeper Moritz Conrad and out of bounds. Gio Carneiro had another chance from nearly the same spot in the 14th minute, but Conrad was equal again.
The Bulldogs would get on the board in the 20th minute as Best took a cross from Rodrigues, stepped through the defense and beat Tusculum keeper Noe Delmotte for a 1-0 Wingate lead at 19:04. The Bulldogs would have another shot on goal in the final seconds of the half, but Delmotte scooped up a long attempt from Kosi Mafela.
Wingate stretched its lead to 2-0 at 49:42 as Rodrigues connected on a cross-goal pass to Roganovic, whose quick header caromed off the save attempt of Delmotte and into the net.
The Pioneers got on the board at 54:01 as a long free kick went to Sainrimat at 15 yards out, which he headed to Clark for a one-timer that beat Conrad to cut the deficit to one.
Seeking the tying goal, the Pioneers put a shot on goal by Enoch Brako in the 62nd minute that was saved by Conrad. Delmotte came up with a diving stop on Lucas Jansen in the 71st minute for the Pioneers.
Tusculum’s last chance came with 2 1/2 minutes left on a free kick from midfield by Mo Bouta, but Conrad was able to jump on his line to make the grab. Wingate would put one final shot on goal in the closing seconds, but Delmotte denied Rodrigues as he looked for a goal to go with his two assists.
Both teams had 10 shot attempts and five shots on goal, with Conrad making four saves for the Bulldogs and Delmotte three stops for the Pioneers. Each team also had three corner kicks, while Wingate had a 15-12 edge in fouls.
The Pioneers return home to face Lynn University on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. at Pioneer Field. The Fighting Knights (2-0-0), who began the week ranked fourth in Division II, host 13th-ranked Mississippi College on Sunday before traveling to play the Pioneers.
