Staff Writer: Donny Chiarel
Emotions were at an all-time high around the campus of Wingate University, as four fall sports teams had their respective ceremonies for each senior on each team. The men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, and football team totalled a number of 37 seniors that all played their last home games at Wingate for their careers.
The Wingate men’s soccer team had their senior night on October 30 before a non-conference match with Salem. Nine seniors were honored during pregame ceremonies before the Bulldogs trounced the Tigers, 5-0, behind two goals from Paul Ngongo, one from Daniel Kuper, and one-a-piece from seniors Stuart Hendry and Elliot Cutts. The seniors honored during the ceremony were Victor Spaggiari, Pablo Bianchi, Oscar Perez, Elliot Cutts, Dylan O’Kane, Stuart Hendry, and Jack Wlodyka. The men defeated Lincoln Memorial in the SAC quarterfinals on November 9, 6-0, and will face Queens in the SAC semifinals on Friday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Matthews, NC.
Next, the Wingate women’s soccer team honored their six seniors before the regular season finale vs. Catawba on November 6. The Bulldogs and Indians ended the match in a draw, 0-0, leaving Wingate short of having a chance to clinch a share of the SAC regular season championship. The six seniors before the game were Abbey Frail, Kat Stockford, Carley Olson, Cat McCollom, Morgan Gray, and Taylor Krakower. The Lady Bulldogs knocked out Anderson, 2-0, in the SAC quarterfinals on Saturday, November 9, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Wingate will play Queens on November 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Matthews, NC.
Wingate’s volleyball team hosted UVA-Wise on Friday, November 8, honoring their seniors in their final regular season home matches in Cuddy Arena. The Bulldogs won against the Cavaliers in straight sets, 3-0, behind seven kills from Lynnlee Mather and six kills from Hannah Knaley. The four seniors honored before the game were Hannah Knaley, Rachel Alles, Lynnlee Mather, and Treslyn Ortiz. The defending Southeast Region champion Bulldogs are currently 26-1, standing firm in 1st place in the SAC standings. Wingate wraps up the season on November 16 before starting tournament play the week after on November 22.
Lastly, the Wingate football team honored 18 seniors prior to the last home game of the season vs. Newberry on November 9. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolves 35-28, highlighted by a career-day for WR Jalen Brooks, catching six for 115 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Robbie Wallace amassed 13 tackles, moving to fourth all-time in total tackles in Wingate history. The seniors honored were Kameron Johnson, Davion Washington, Domineke McNeil, Elijah Gilmore, Gabe Price, Darquez Lee, Juan Pagan-Gonzalez, Ronnie Procopio, Cal Hanford, Robbie Wallace, BJ Muckelvene, Antonio Booe, Cedric Jones, Colton Beard, Bruce Dalton, Connor Baroniunas, Andrew Strickland, Darrion Ballard, and Darion Barron. Wingate will travel to Mars Hill on November 16 for the regular season finale, while looking for their 10th win of the season.
Wingate Triangle 