HICKORY, N.C. - Lenoir-Rhyne picked up a crucial 1-0 win over Wingate on Wednesday night.
The Bears constant pressure finally got to the Bulldogs, as a
Kennedy Flowers cross led to the game winning own goal in the 71st minute.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 1, Wingate 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (4-6-3, 2-3-1 SAC), Wingate (7-6-0, 5-3-0)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Sports Athletic Complex
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- This was an evenly played match, with both teams putting up five shots in the first 25 minutes.
- The Bears made Bulldogs goalie Amelia Forsling work in the opening half, putting five shots on frame.
- Riley Miller made a key save in the 67th minute, keeping the game scoreless.
- Kennedy Flowers drove down the line a few minutes later and put in a cross that was tapped in by the Wingate centerback, giving the Bears the lead.
- Lenoir-Rhyne's defense locked down and held on for the shutout victory.
STATS OF THE MATCH:
- Lenoir-Rhyne out-shot Wingate 17-13 and held a 7-6 edge in shots-on-goal.
- There were three yellow cards and 18 fouls in this game.
- The Bears put up 11 corner kicks.
- Lucia Hidalgo led the Bears with six shots while Ava Hartman had three.
- Riley Miller made six saves in net for the 18th shutout of her career.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Lenoir-Rhyne leads the all-time series 24-14-7 and haven't lost to the Bulldogs in regulation since a 1-0 defeat in 2021.
- The Bears sit second in the SAC standings, just ahead of Lincoln Memorial, Carson-Newman, and Anderson.
- The Bears ranked 14th in the Southeast Region in this week's first NPI rankings.
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will be on the road for their final four games of the regular season. The Bears open that road trip on Sunday when they travel to Greeneville, Tennessee, to take on Tusculum. The Pioneers are 2-10 (2-5 SAC) and most recently fell 4-0 to Wingate on Saturday. Kick-off for Sunday's game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
