ANDERSON, S.C. - Two goals in the first 20 minutes proved costly as Anderson University women's soccer was unable to keep up with regionally-ranked Wingate, falling 4-0 Saturday afternoon for Homecoming at Trojan Stadium.
With the setback, the Trojans stumble to 5-9-1 overall and 3-6-1 in South Atlantic Conference play with one conference match remaining in the regular season. Wingate, which entered Saturday ranked No. 6 in the Southeast Region, improved to 9-2-3 on the year with an 8-1-1 mark in the league.
As the current standings sit, AU is one point clear of Coker for the final spot in the SAC Tournament, which begins on Nov. 4 at the sites of the top-four teams in the final table. With a win next Saturday, the Trojans would secure at least the No. 8 seed and will be on the road in the annual tournament.
Anderson managed just four shots for the afternoon, while the Bulldogs totaled 16 including an 11-shot mark in the opening half. Four Trojans posted a shot apiece, as juniors Faith Johannes and Marian Poveda were joined by freshman defender Kristin Herbert with shots on goal. Freshman Lyssa Engle claimed the lone Trojan shot in the first half.
Wingate made the most of its offensive opportunities, as WU's Brooke Howell and two-time SAC Player of the Year, Jade Montgomery each netted goals in the first 20 minutes, as Howell added her 13th of the year in the 12th minute, followed by Montgomery's in the 20th.
Later in the half, Bulldog Colleen Zickert found the ball at her feet in the Anderson box and flicked in a shot to round out the visitors' first half scoring.
Wingate added its final tally of the afternoon in the 50th minute when Kaitlyn Fletcher sent a corner kick into the Trojan box and found Montgomery for her second goal of the afternoon. For Montgomery, she tied Howell's season total with her 13th goal of the year.
"We can't let this result hang over us," Anderson head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "There are two huge games to come and our focus has to be winning both. The ladies were solid in the second half and battled for me. I'm proud of the effort and hopefully we can get our rewards this coming week."
AU will hold its "Kick ALS" Night in its next contest when it welcomes archrival Erskine to Trojan Stadium on Wednesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
