TICKET PUNCHED! Wingate earns third NCAA Tourney bid in program history; face Kutztown in opener

-- Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics --

Indianapolis, Ind.----For the second straight year and third time in program history, the Wingate University Bulldogs have earned a bid to the NCAA Division II women's lacrosse tournament. The SAC regular season and tourney champs are the number five seed in the Atlantic Region, set to take on fourth-seeded Kutztown in the opening round Thursday, May 7 at 1 p.m. at Slippery Rock University. The 'Dogs enter NCAA Tourney play at 16-3 overall.

Slippery Rock is the number one seed in the region, followed by second-seeded East Stroudsburg. West Chester is the three seed, followed by Kutztown, Wingate and Frostburg State. The WU-Kutztown winner faces Slippery Rock Saturday at 1 p.m. The West Chester-Frostburg State winner takes on East Stroudsburg Sunday at noon.

The Bulldogs are in the tournament after capturing SAC regular season and tournament titles. Wingate won its fifth straight regular season title, while capturing the second tourney title in program history Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs lead the nation in caused turnovers per game and draw control percentage. Wingate ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense, while also ranking fourth in the nation in assists per game, fifth in points per game, sixth in scoring margin and eighth in scoring offense.

The 'Dogs had 11 players earn All-SAC honors, led by SAC Attacker and Freshman of the Year Stacy Glover, along with back-to-back SAC Defensive Player of the Year Kathryn McCabe. Other first team honorees include Krysta Churns, Sophie Pavlick, Madison Slayton and Saskia Aunger. Bree Solero, Haley McCourt, Deirdre Jones and Amelia Benner picked up second team honors, with Lauryn Knutson collecting third team accolades.

Wingate made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022, taking on Florida Southern in Charlotte, N.C. The Bulldogs returned to NCAA Tourney play last season, taking on Limestone. Wingate is looking for its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

Atlantic Regional

Thursday, May 7 (at Slippery Rock)
1 p.m. | Wingate vs. Kutztown
Saturday, May 9 (at Slippery Rock)
1 p.m. | WU-KU winner vs. Slippery Rock

Thursday, May 7 (at East Stroudsburg)
2 p.m. | West Chester vs. Frostburg State
Saturday, May 9 (at East Stroudsburg)
12 p.m. | WC-FS winner vs. East Stroudsburg