KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The University of Charleston men's soccer team's dream of capturing the school's first NCAA Division II National Championship came to a crash Saturday afternoon, falling in the title game, 2-0, to Wingate University at the Swope Soccer Village.

Charleston has reached the NCAA DII Men's Soccer final twice in the past three seasons, falling to Lynn University, 3-2, in 2014.  The Golden Eagles were a National Semifinalist in 2015 before being eliminated by eventual National Champion, Pfeifer, 2-1 in double overtime.  UC wasn't able to penetrate the Bulldog defense, a squad that only surrendered eight goals on the entire season, and was limited to a season-low eight shots, two of which had to be saved.

Wingate, who lost the possession battle, made the most of their opportunities. The first goal came in the 37th minute in the first half. Jon Ander took a pass from freshman midfielder Oscar Perez from 20 yards out. Ander fired the shot that glanced of the back of a Charleston defender and went high into the net for a goal past a wrong-footed Paulo Pita. It was the only goal in the first half and it gave Wingate a 1-0 lead.

In the 78th minute, Wingate junior forward Jon Ander all but sealed the match for the Bulldogs. Ander drilled his second goal of the match from 20 yards out to give the Bulldogs a two-goal lead over Charleston. Wingate wrapped up the title by playing strong defense the final 12 minutes and came away with a 2-0 victory over Charleston.

Senior captains Jake Young and Bruno Oliveira addressed the media following the match with Young stating "Some things aren't meant to be, it's hard but that's life".  Oliveira reflected on the past three seasons of reaching at least the National Semifinal and is optimistic of the future of Charleston men's soccer, "I'm sure the team will be back here next year, playing for the National Championship."