Wingate, N.C.----The defending national champion Wingate University Bulldogs begin the 2017 season Thursday night, hosting Saint Leo at 7 p.m. on ESPN3. The three-time defending SAC champions are the top-ranked team in the United Soccer Coaches preseason top 25 poll, while also being picked as the favorites in the SAC preseason coaches poll. Wingate went 19-1 last year, winning a third straight regular season SAC title to go along with the school's first-ever NCAA team championship.