Wingate weekend pregame report: September 18–20
Wingate’s football home opener against Newberry follows a one-point loss at Carson-Newman. Volleyball visits Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba; both already have three league wins. Field hockey hosts Lander, men’s soccer travels to Hickory Sunday, and cross country is scheduled for the Converse…
SAC · SEPTEMBER 18–20, 2026 · FREE PREGAME EDITION
Football comes home as volleyball faces two road tests
Wingate’s football home opener against Newberry follows a one-point loss at Carson-Newman. Volleyball visits Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba; both already have three league wins. Field hockey hosts Lander, men’s soccer travels to Hickory Sunday, and cross country is scheduled for the Converse meet in Spartanburg.
Your weekend schedule
Times are Eastern. TBA means the source has not supplied a confirmed start. Check the linked athletic source before travel; schedules can change.
| Date | Sport | Matchup / event | Start (ET) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18 | Women's Volleyball | at Lenoir-Rhyne | 7:00 P.M. | Hickory, N.C. |
| Sep 19 | Field Hockey | vs. Lander | 1:00 P.M. | Wingate, N.C. |
| Sep 19 | Football | vs. Newberry | 6:00 P.M. | Wingate, NC |
| Sep 19 | Men's Cross Country | at Converse Kick-Off | TBA | Spartanburg, S.C. / Milliken Research Park |
| Sep 19 | Women's Cross Country | vs. Newberry | TBA | Wingate, NC |
| Sep 19 | Women's Cross Country | at Converse Kick-Off | TBA | Spartanburg, S.C. / Milliken Research Park |
| Sep 19 | Women's Volleyball | at Catawba | 2:00 P.M. | Salisbury, N.C. |
| Sep 20 | Men's Soccer | at Lenoir-Rhyne | 3:00 P.M. | Hickory, N.C. |
Pregame position
| Sport | Overall | SAC |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| Women's Volleyball | 7-2 | 3-1 |
| Men's Soccer | 3-2 | 0-1 |
Records are the official SAC standings read Friday morning, September 18, before this weekend’s play. Soccer records include draws; a two-part record has no recorded draw.
What to watch
Football
Watch whether possession-ending mistakes and stalled drives change the game more than total yardage. A close previous result is context, not a prediction of another close finish.
Women's Volleyball
Watch serve reception and the ability to end the opponent’s scoring runs. Friday and Saturday are separate matches; the second preview baseline will need refreshing after Friday’s result.
Men's Soccer
Watch the quality and timing of chances rather than treating every shot as equally dangerous. A recent high-scoring result does not establish that the next opponent will permit the same opportunities.
Cross country
Follow the scoring five and the gap between the first and fifth finishers. Course, distance and the entered lineup matter; comparing raw times from different courses can give a misleading picture.
Field hockey
Follow how penalty corners become actual shots and whether sustained pressure produces goals. A corner advantage by itself does not establish superior finishing or goalkeeper performance.
Cross-country location note: the SAC calendar contains a Wingate self-listing. Wingate’s own event calendar and September 11 men’s recap identify Converse in Spartanburg; this report follows those school sources.