GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Sascha Larsen scored two goals in just under 2 1/2 minutes late in the second half to boost Wingate University to a 2-0 victory over Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference women's soccer Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field.
Larsen scored in the 82nd and 84th minutes for the Bulldogs (10-3-1, 7-2-0 SAC), who seemed headed for a draw with the Pioneers (2-9-3, 2-6-2 SAC) until the late tallies.
Wingate outshot Tusculum 13-6 in the match and had a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks, with both goals originating off corners.
The Bulldogs had the first six shot attempts of the match, with three on goal. Tusculum keeper Grayson Patterson had her best save in the 31st minute as she stopped a quick attempt from Larsen at close range.
Tusculum's first shot of the match came in the 30th minute, when Hannah Deakins sent a header wide of the near post. Wingate finished the half with an 8-2 shot advantage, with Patterson making four saves.
In the second half, the Pioneers had two good opportunities, with Joey Garrett sending a shot over the crossbar in the 66th minute and Sydney Grant denied on a break in by Wingate keeper Katrine Thisgaard in the 68th minute.
Wingate broke through with under 10 minutes to play as Patterson was called for a foul while trying to catch a corner kick. On the penalty, Larsen buried her fifth goal of the season for a 1-0 Wingate lead at 81:12.
Two minutes later, the Bulldogs took another corner kick and the ball came to Larsen at close range. Her first shot was cleared off the line by the Pioneers' Lakin Pennington, but the second try went in for her sixth of the year and a 2-0 lead for the Bulldogs at 83:38.
Thisgaard made just one save to earn her eighth shutout of the season, while Patterson had five saves in goal for the Pioneers. Tusculum was called for 15 fouls to 12 by Wingate in the match.
The Pioneers will close their home schedule with a non-conference match against Young Harris on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. at Pioneer Field. The Mountain Lions (9-4-3) beat Francis Marion 1-0 on Saturday for their third straight victory.
