WINGATE, N.C. – Beginning a season of change in 2026, the Lander men's soccer team fell to Wingate on Saturday night by 2-0 score at the WU Soccer Complex. It was the first regular-season match under the leadership of head coach
Paul Leese, who was hired in February.
Despite the result, Lander matched Wingate with 15 shots during the game and put three on net. The Bearcats had six corner kicks to the Bulldogs' five in the opener for both teams.
James Docherty played all 90 minutes in goal and stopped six shots on a busy night.
"It was a great game for us to play to open the season as Wingate are always in the national conversation," Leese said. "It may have been a little early for us to face them with many new players still learning to play with each other.
"We showed promising signs in flashes, but need to build more consistency, which will come with more time on the training field."
WU put two goals on the board during the first half. The first came in the sixth minute and the second in the 26th minute. Andres Cardenas and Austin Vicenzino were the scorers.
Orran Mushet had two scoring chances and
Savvas Chionakis, one. LU will play its home opener this Wednesday, Sep. 2 at 7:30 p.m. versus Belmont Abbey.
"I was really pleased with the fight and togetherness of this group and know we have learned valuable lessons tonight," Leese said. "I'm really looking forward to playing at home on Wednesday with our student body and local fans cheering us on."
