SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba College men's soccer team used a goal by Joe Bennett and five saves from goalkeeper Zak Stiffler to extend their win streak to six games on Wednesday night. Catawba defeated the Wingate Bulldogs, 1-0, in South Atlantic Conference action at the Frock Soccer Complex. 

It took 38 minutes for the Catawba Indians to break through in the contest when Bautista Vecchi-Ramello sent a beautiful pass through from outside Wingate's goalie box over to a streaking Joe Bennett. Bennett, a sophomore from Bognor Regis, England, finished the pass with a strike to the back of the net for his first goal of the season. 

That was all the offense Catawba needed as goalkeeper Zak Stiffler made three saves in the second half including two full-extension efforts. In the 72nd minute, Stiffler elevated on a shot sent towards the top center of the net from near the goal line and tipped the ball over the crossbar to keep the shut out intact. He also made another diving save three and a half minutes later by deflecting a ball sent to the upper right corner of the net. 

Wingate had one last attempt with under a minute to play on a through ball inside Catawba's 18-yard box. Stiffler sniffed out the attempt and secured the victory. 

With the win, Catawba moved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play. They currently sit second in the SAC standings behind Lenoir-Rhyne. 

The men's soccer team will be back on the pitch this coming Saturday at Tusculum for a nighttime kickoff at 7:30 p.m.