Box Score (.pdf)

STATESBORO, GA. – The men's soccer team opened the season playing in a nine goal thriller, but were unable to pull off the win as they fell to Gardner-Webb University, 5-4 in overtime.

In the first half, the Runnin' Bulldogs got off to a quick start as forward Patrick Gurser scored after receiving a pass from sophomore midfielder Arjun Jung in the fifth minute. Wofford and Gardner-Webb both battled the rest of the half keeping the game low scoring going into the break, 1-0.

In the second half, both teams came alive scoring a total of seven goals. The Terriers would strike first bringing the game even at 1-1 in the 55th minute. Junior forward Carlos Gonzalez-Dominguez scored his first goal of the season off of sophomore midfielder Nestor Jarmillo's corner kick. Wofford would then pull ahead 2-1, when sophomore midfielder Connor Davis scored his first goal of the season with a shot from the top of the box in the 62nd minute. Senior defender Billy Padula and sophomore midfielder Will Puckett were credited with assists.

The Runnin' Bulldogs would then knot the game up again at 2-2 in the 70th minute as forward Denzel Clarke scored his first of three goals in the match off a chipped free kick from forward Ali Al-Gashamy. Wofford would respond and retake the lead 3-2 a minute later when Davis scored his second goal of the match off of a cross from Padula. The Terriers would then extend their lead in the 73rd minute when senior forward Chase West scored his first goal of the season off of a low cross from junior midfielder Nick Orton.

Gardner-Webb brought the game within one again as defender Marius Hammersmark scored an unassisted goal in the 86th minute. Clarke got on the score sheet for the second time with less than two minutes to play firing home a shot off of Gurser's pass, forcing the game to go to overtime with the score at 4-4.

In the overtime period, Gardner-Webb would end the game in the 92nd minute as Clarke fired home his hatrick and the game-winning goal off of Al-Gashamy's cross making the final score 5-4.

For the Terriers, freshman goalkeeper Garrett Closs played the full game and suffered his first loss of the season. He faced a total of 13 Gardner-Webb shots and made four saves. For the Runnin' Bulldogs, Matthew Swan earned his first win of the season, facing 13 Terrier shots and made four saves.

In the match, both teams tied in the shot count 13-13, while Gardner-Webb won the corner battle 6-4.

Wofford will return to action on Sunday, September 1st when they face Winthrop University for its second game of its season opening weekend, competing in the Big South/SoCon Challenge. The game will kick-off at 12:00 pm.