Game Stats
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the second of three preseason exhibition matchups, the men’s soccer team blistered Newberry 7-0 in a match that consisted of three 40 minute periods. The Terriers dominated every category, having 33 shots compared to Newberry’s six and put 17 of those shots on frame.
Coach Polson’s squad displayed a fiery, competitive spirit for 120 minutes of play. During the week, Coach Polson told the team he wanted them to win the game in the first ten minutes, and sure enough the Terriers entered the game tearing down the gates. In the 11th minute, Kenny Owens was able to squeak past the keeper and skim the ball across the goal line to put the first points on the board. Soon after, Wilson Hood punched a header off a cross toward the right side of the net, but Newberry’s Patrick Sweatt was able to nudge it out with a fingertip save. Hood redeemed himself with a goal in the 27th minute. He was able to capitalize on a rebound inside the box, delivered off a cross from Eddie Nam. Andrew Drennan and the Terrier backfield were able to hold the Wolves scoreless in the first period after taking the two goal advantage. Drennan made three saves from the goalkeeper position.
The Terriers brought the same intensity from the first period into the second, as they were able to take 18 shots throughout the 40 minutes. Early in the second period, freshman Dennis Moore took advantage of a through ball from Andrew Eppelsheimer as he knocked in the third goal of the match. In the 54th minute, Alex Hutchins was able to slip past the defense and put a shot on frame, but it was deflected off the goalkeeper’s foot. Logan Threadgill made the most of the rebound and one-timed the ball just over the crossbar. Wofford took ten more shots during the period, but was unable to put another in the back of the net.
In the final period, freshman Alan Gore and Will O’Brien took over the show. In the 109th minute Gore was able to stream in a goal off an assist by Paulo Bonfim, and O’Brien went one shy of a hat trick, knocking in two goals on his own. Senior Armin Kinigadner also scored a goal off a penalty kick committed in the 95th minute. Goalkeeper Ethan Kilby was able to keep the Wolves out of the net and earn the shutout.
Coach Polson took advantage of the extended match, as every player who wasn’t injured was able to get field experience. The team looked energetic, creative and spirited throughout the entire exhibition. A key component to the match was the defenses’ ability to keep Newberry at bay with only six shots. They kept the Wolves scoreless the entire 120 minutes of play.
The men’s soccer team will return to Snyder Field this Saturday, August 28th, at 6:00 pm to take on the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College. This will be the final exhibition match of the preseason.
