NATIONAL FINALIST!!!: Wingate Downs UC San Diego, 2-0 in National Semifinals

#1 WINGATE 2, #2 UC SAN DIEGO 0

CLICK HERE TO WATCH BOTH GOALS

Kansas City, Mo.----Wingate University junior midfielder Christian Szalay (Vienna, Austria) scored a pair of goals Thursday afternoon, leading the top-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs to a 2-0 victory over No. 10 UC San Diego in the NCAA National Semifinals. The Bulldogs improve to 18-1 overall, advancing to the NCAA National Championship match for the first time in Wingate history. UC San Diego ends its season at 19-3-2 overall.

"It feels phenomenal," head coach Gary Hamill says. "I couldn't be more excited for the current team, couldn't be more excited for the university, the hundreds of people that have played for me and all of the support we've gotten from people along the way. It's taken a lot of effort, a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get here. Our entire Wingate family, it's just a phenomenal experience right now."

The Bulldogs continue their impressive run through the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by the nation's top defense. Wingate has shutout all four opponents in the NCAA Tournament, including three shutouts over top-15 opposition. Wingate now has 11 shutouts through 19 games this season, allowing a nation's-low eight goals on the year, while also leading the nation with a 0.42 goals-against average.

The Tritons entered the contest ranked third nationally in goals-against average, but they were tested early. Szalay found the back of the net just 2:39 into the opening half, taking a feed from All-American midfielder Aksel Juul(Newcastle, England) in the left side of the box and lining one into the opposite corner, making it 1-0.

The rest of the half saw limited opportunities for both teams, with each side getting one shot on goal in the last 42 minutes. Juul had a chance in the 18th minute, but his shot was saved by UC San Diego All-American goalkeeper Cameron McElfresh. UC San Diego had a chance with 20 minutes left in the half, but a shot from the top of the box from Jeff Powers was stopped by Wingate All-American goalkeeper Pablo Jara (Santiago, Chile). Each team registered five shots in the opening 45 minutes.  

"Going up a goal early can help you, settle you down and maybe it did," Hamill says. "We didn't play particularly well offensively in the first half, but our defense has been exceptional all tournament. Going in 1-0 at halftime knowing that we could get everyone to settle down a little bit was massive."

The second half saw Wingate collect three shots on goal, starting 30 seconds in when All-Region forward Elma N'For (Yaoundé, Cameroon) lined a shot from the top of the box that was turned away by McElfresh. All-American Jon Ander (Bilbao, Spain) had a chance seven minutes later, but McElfresh was there once again. Szalay nearly put the 'Dogs on top by two in the 67th minute, but his diving effort right in front of the goal on a Nate Evans (Greenville, N.C.) cross sailed just over the crossbar.

Wingate got its two-goal lead with 20 minutes left in regulation, when Szalay took advantage of a defensive misplay by the Tritons and chipped one perfectly over the keeper from the edge of the box, giving the junior his second goal of the day and fourth of the season.

Each team ended the day with nine shots, with the Bulldogs holding a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal and 5-1 edge in corner kicks. Szalay led all players with three shots, netting both his shots on frame.

Wingate's defense, anchored by All-Americans Alex Nelson (Newcastle, England) and Damian Gaona (Santiago, Chile), along with All-Region selection Vicente Munoz (Santiago, Chile) handed the Tritons just their third shutout in 24 matches this year, while also holding them more than six shots below their season average.

Jara collected two saves for the Bulldogs, notching his 11th shutout of the season while lowering his nation's-best goals-against average to 0.42. McElfresh had three saves for the Tritons, who allowed multiple goals for the first time all year.

Wingate is back in action Saturday, playing in its first-ever NCAA National Championship match at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs will face the winner of the Rockhurst vs. Charleston (W.Va.) contest. Charleston is ranked fourth nationally, while Rockhurst is ranked sixth. This will be the first-ever appearance by any Wingate team in an NCAA championship match.