Box Score Box Score (PDF)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford men’s soccer team won 1-0 in double overtime against Mercer Sunday afternoon at Snyder Field. Senior Nick Schuermann scored the game winning goal on a penalty kick with 1:18 remaining in the second overtime.
Wofford advances to 2-0-2 on the season while Mercer is 0-3-2 overall. The Terriers had a commanding 23 to 7 advantage in shots in the contest, with Yakov Rubinchik leading the team with four shots.
In the first half, Wofford controlled the pace of the game with great offensive pressure, as evidenced by an 8-1 advantage in shots in the half. Branson Hyatt had a shot go just high of the cross bar at the 13:05 mark, while Yakov Rubinchik had a shot wide and a shot saved during the 32nd minute of play. Eddie Nam’s chance at 36:18 went wide to the left of the net. Perhaps the best shot of the half came at 38:57 when Wilson Hood served the ball in and Philips Leach’s shot was saved by Brett Petricek on a diving play.
To begin the second half, Wofford continued to control the pace of the game. Mercer had a cross from Matt Brazer go through the box at the 63 minute mark, while Mercer’s Ian Cameron had a chance go just high two minutes later. The best chance of the game for the Terriers came at 67:52 when James Walker had a header that bounced off the cross bar. With just five minutes left in regulation, Paulo Bonfim took a cross from Bryan Eddy and his shot went just over the cross bar. At the end of the ninety minutes, the Terriers had a 16 to three advantage on shots.
In the first overtime, Wofford and Mercer both had three shots on goal and both goalies came up with two saves. In the second ten minutes, Eddie Nam had a shot blocked at 104:27 and Kentrel Owens had a header that was saved at 108:07. With 42 seconds remaining, Mercer goalie Brett Petricek was issued a yellow card in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Terriers. Nick Schuermann took the shot and went left, while the goalie went right and the Terriers won the game.
With a 2-0-2 record through the first four games, the Terriers are off to their best start since the team went 4-0 to begin the 1990 season.
Wofford will play again at home September 25 against Belmont at 7 p.m.
