Wingate, N.C. – In a thriller of a clash between ranked teams, No. 18 Maryville had its upset bid thwarted in the waning minutes as No. 7 Wingate rallied to edge the Saints 14-13. The Bulldogs scored with 5:41 left in the game to cap their comeback. Clayton Cerett and Zach Baker both registered hat tricks to pace the Maryville offense.
 
Wingate recap
The Bulldogs took an early 3-1 lead before Ethan Olson's man-up score started a 3-0 run for the Saints. Cerett tallied his opening goal to tie it, and Ben Mickett scored his second of the day to push the Saints ahead 4-3. Wingate again tied the game but Baker fired in a goal in the final minute to give Maryville the 5-4 lead after one.
 
Baker pushed the Saints on top by 6-4 before the teams traded scores. Deadlocked at 7-7, Justin Simonson found the back of the net for an 8-7 but Wingate tied the game again just before halftime at 8-8.
 
Olson gave Maryville the lead with a goal a minute into the third, and Cerett scored again for a 10-8 margin. Wingate pulled one score back but Cerett answered. The Bulldogs cut the gap to 11-10 heading to the final quarter.
 
Wingate tallied the first two goals of the fourth for a 12-11 advantage but Simonson tied the game at the 9:21 mark. Wingate retook the lead with eight minutes to play. Mitchell Kaye picked a timely spot for his second goal of the season as the Saints forged a 13-13 tie with 6:16 to play. Wingate won the ensuing draw and scored at the 5:41 mark to take the 14-13 lead.
 
The Saints won the next faceoff but could not get a shot off. Dylan Radke made a save to get Maryville the ball back. The Saints had a shot on goal but it was saved. The Maryville defense blocked the next Wingate offensive set to earn possession but the Saints turned it over with 90 seconds to play. Maryville was looking to stop the Bulldogs but were called for a penalty with 34 seconds remaining as Wingate held on for the win.

Statistical Leaders
Goals: Clayton Cerett and Zach Baker - 3
Assists: Justin Morgan - 2
Points: three players - 3
Ground Balls: Shea Raeburn - 9
Caused Turnovers: Carter Bies and Garrett Rivers - 2
Faceoff Wins: Shea Raeburn - 15
Saves: Dylan Radke - 14
 
Records
Maryville: 2-1
Wingate: 2-1
 
What's Next?
The Saints are back home for their next game as they host Alabama Huntsville Friday, March 1, in a 2 p.m. start at the Maryville Athletic Complex.