St. Augustine, Fla. – Lynn University's men's soccer team is back in the national semifinals for the second consecutive year following a 2-0 victory over Wingate in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals Saturday night.  Jack Winter was the man of the match, scoring both goals off assists from Michael Kutscher and Roberto Cadilhe while the Fighting Knights defense posted its 13th shutout of the season.  Lynn improves to 17-3-1 overall.

This will be the Fighting Knights' sixth NCAA National Semifinals appearance in program history and 13th overall, including its time in the NAIA.

Looking to build off the momentum of knocking off Rollins on Thursday, the Blue & White came out firing on all cylinders, getting a pair of shots off in the opening minutes.  Bulldogs keeper Daniel DeGraff logged one save but was left on the ground looking in after a goal in the 19th minute.

Kutscher started the play by intercepting an errant Wingate pass on the right sideline and immediately cut in towards the box.  The graduate defender found Winter atop the box and the sophomore midfielder spun his defender and ripped a shot with his left foot into the right side-netting.

Wingate (13-6-1) stepped up its intensity and forced LU keeper Matt DiCerbo into three first period saves, including a diving stop just before the half off a shot from Gui Andrade.

Winter, though, struck again and sealed the Fighting Knights trip to the national semifinals in the 60th minute.  Cadilhe hustled from the LU third to the center of the midfield box tracking a Bulldog forward to steal a pass, turn up-field and split the Wingate defense with a through ball.  Winter ran onto the pass, went one-versus-one with DeGraff and buried his shot to the right net.

Lynn's defensive unit of Jason Sangha, AB Magnusson, James Aldred and Kutscher allowed just one shot on goal in the second half to pick up the clean sheet.  Wingate was outshot 13-7 but held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.

This was the fifth meeting between LU and Wingate, and first since 2000, with the Blue & White now owning a 5-0-0 all-time mark against the Bulldogs.

The Fighting Knights will now head to Evans, Ga., to play the winner of Mercyhurst/Southern New Hampshire.  Lynn has never faced either team.  Fans can watch the action at LynnFightingKnights.com or NCAA.com.  Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @LUKnights on Twitter and Instagram.