Box Score Game Stats
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the first nationally televised match in Wofford men’s soccer history, the Terriers challenged Davidson on Snyder Field, with a record-setting crowd filling the atmosphere and FOX Soccer Channel presenting the Wofford men on worldwide televisions. The first half between the two conference foes ended in an even draw at 0-0. Davidson took control of the game in the second half, scoring three goals in the 45 minute period. The final at the end of regulation was a 3-0 win for the Wildcats. The Terrier’s loss puts them at a 1-6-2 record on the season, with a 0-2 standing in the Southern Conference. The Wildcats improve to a 5-4-3 record, placing them with a 1-2 record in the Southern Conference.
The first half proved to be a physical battle for ball control, as both programs foiled each other’s attempts to produce offensive attacks. Wofford and Davidson shared three shot attempts each in the first half. The emotions of the match were obvious in the players, with the teams combining for 16 penalties in the first 45. The Terriers best opportunities in the first half came from forwards Kentrel Owens and Wilson Hood.
Their shot attempts were taken around the 30 minute mark and both shots went wide of the net.
The second half started with a personnel change by Head Coach Polson, substituting goalkeeper Andrew Drennan out for Ben Limbaugh. Polson commented after the game, “It was a bit of a personnel decision. Limbaugh has been working hard. I felt like we needed to give Ben a chance.”
Davidson took over the momentum in the second half with their first goal scored in the 2nd minute of play. Mark Millard accounted for his fourth goal on the season for the Wildcats, knocking in a low cross that trickled across the 6 yard box from teammate Peter Shelton.
Davidson tried to push the lead to two, as they kept putting strings of attacks toward the Wofford net. In the 70th minute the Wildcats took advantage of a corner from Alex Givens. Davidson’s Allen Page went up for the header off the high corner and placed the ball just over the outstretched hands of Limbaugh.
With the score 2-0, Wofford battled for shots, having a near attempt go in from Paulo Bonfim in the 71st minute. The shot just barely shot out of range, going high over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Davidson secured the win with their third and final goal. Millard knocked in his second of the match, pushing the ball in from near the center of the 18’. He took control of the ball off a rebound that ricocheted off a Wofford defender.
The Terriers never lost focus on getting back in the game, taking shots late in the game. Wilson Hood sent two shots in a row flying toward the Davidson net in the 89th minute, only to have one blocked by the outstretched leg of a Wildcat defender and the other shot saved by Davidson goalkeeper Chip Sanders.
The match ended at 3-0 in Davidson’s favor. The Terriers were able to attempt 10 total shots with four being on frame. Limbaugh had four saves in the second half, accounting for all the saves in the game for Wofford. The Terrier nation made a huge impact on the match, producing energy from a record breaking 1,117 fans at the match.
The Terriers will continue conference play this Tuesday, October 12th at Snyder Field. Coach Polson’s program faces Appalachian State at 6:00pm.
