WINGATE, N.C. --- The Wingate University men's lacrosse team scored the first four goals of the match and led wire-to-wire in defeating visiting Tusculum College 16-9 Saturday afternoon at the Irwin Belk Track Complex turf field.

Wingate's Austin Murphy led all scorers with five points with his two goals and three assists. Seth Grimwood added three goals and an assist, while teammate Chase Watts finished with three helpers in the victory.

The Bulldogs (2-4, 2-0 SAC) led by as many as 9-2 following a Grimwood goal at the 12:35 mark of the second quarter.

Trailing 11-4 in the second frame, the Pioneers (1-4, 0-2 SAC) went on a 5-2 run to trim the deficit to 13-9 after an Andrew Kransbeger goal with 3:26 left in the third quarter.ac

The Bulldogs outscored the Pioneers 3-0 in the final quarter to provide the final scoring margin.

Chris Ryan, Dallas Wade and Kransberger scored two goals each, while Ben Boyd, Kellen Asmundson and Nate Wade also scored.

Mitch Chapman led the Pioneers with five ground balls, while Boyd and Ryan finished with four apiece.

Tusculum goalie Kevin Haggerty recorded 11 saves, while Wingate net-minder Jacob Ormerod finished with 17 saves for the Bulldogs.

The Pioneers return to action this Thursday when they travel to cross-mountain rival Mars Hill for a 4 p.m. league contest.

- TC -