Staff Writer: Bella Pellet and Camryn Gallagher
By the time the second week of March rolls around, students at Wingate are ready for a break. Spring Break. An opportunity for students to kick back and relax and catch up on some sleep. Although, the bulldogs who play a sport and are in season at Wingate normally have plans competing in their sport. This was the case for the Women’s Lacrosse Team, although they were able to compete for their sport in the sunshine state of Florida.
The Bulldogs traveled to the sunshine state on Sunday, March 6th. It took them about 10 hours to get there by bus with all the stops. The team was ecstatic to get to the hotel in West Palm Beach. They had to prepare because the following day the ‘Dogs would go up against the Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish at 11:00am.
The ‘Dogs came out on top against the Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish rolling to an 18-7 victory which kicked off the Florida Spring break trip. Leah Knowles led the list of contributors for the team with five goals, two assists, six caused turnovers, four ground balls and four draw controls. Freshman Avery Scherer also contributed by adding two goals and assisted on another, while adding three ground balls. Although the Bulldogs defense was also having a day, freshman Haley McCourt and Sophomore Blake Clouser each had three caused turnovers.
After the win at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the team went back to their hotel to shower then was able to have a beach day! The team was able to relax at the beach and enjoy time together. The weather might not have been perfect although it was great for the ‘Dogs to relax.
On Tuesday, the Women’s lacrosse team practiced at Palm Beach Atlantic University before packing up their bags and driving to Lakeland, Florida where they were going to face their next opponent, the Florida Southern Moccasins. The drive was about two and a half hours.
On Wednesday the 9th, the unranked Bulldogs faced the sixth-ranked Florida Southern Moccasins. The Mocs came out strong with a 12-2 lead in the first half. Then there was a lightning delay a few minutes into the third quarter. This is when the ‘Dogs rallied around each other and came back fighting in the second half. The Bulldogs outscored the Mocs in the second half of the game 10-7. The Mocs held off in the end, claiming a 19-13 victory. Regardless of the score, there was a valiant effort by lots of the Bulldogs. 2021 Southern Atlantic Conference Goalie of the Year, Meg Biase made 12 saves. Leah Knowles led the offense with four goals, two assists and five draw controls. Becca Ruiz also recorded two goals.
The ‘Dogs got on the bus after the Florida Southern game and headed back home to Wingate. They had learned a large amount from their Florida trip and had to look forward to their next game on Saturday, against the Coker Cobras.
The ‘Dogs faced the Coker Cobras at 12pm on March 12th in Hartsville, South Carolina. The Wingate University Bulldogs closed out their spring break by cruising to a 21-7 victory over Coker University in South Atlantic Conference play. Senior Bella Pellet and Junior Leah Knowles put up five goals. Freshman Sophie Gonzalez scored two goals and added a team-high three assists. Freshman Emma Pike contributed to the defensive effort by adding two caused turnovers.
The Bulldogs look forward to one of their biggest matches of the season facing the third-ranked Queens Royals on Wednesday, March 16th at home at 4:00pm.
Wingate Triangle 