JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Wofford College men's soccer team earned their first draw of the 2014 campaign, 3-3, against the Bucaneers of East Tennessee State at Summers-Taylor Field on Saturday night.
The Terriers looked as if they had scored the game-winner at the 80:12 mark, when Nestor Jaramillo earned the third goal for Wofford. Senior captain Carlos Dominguez-Gonzalez passed the ball out to the left side of the field rather than over the wall, finding Jaramillo. Jaramillo then dribbled into the box, blasting the ball into the bottom right side of the net.
Within the same minute, the Bucs responded. Warren Austin received the ball at the conference logo, halfway between the midfield line and goal line. Austin crossed the ball in from 40 yards out, sailing the ball into the back right corner of the goal. The two sides failed to score another goal, sending them into overtime.
The tie gives the Terriers 13 points in the league, slotting them in second after Mercer (15 points) earned a 2-1 overtime win over UNCG late Saturday night.
Wofford outshot the Bucs in the contest, 30-13, with 11 shots on frame.
"I'm a bit disappointed," said seventh-year head coach Ralph Polson of the night's draw. "I'm not unhappy with how we played tonight, but disappointed that we don't have more to show for it. With 30 shots we would have liked to take the win. ETSU's a good team, and to take a point on the road is good, but we felt like we deserved more tonight."
The Bucs struck first, scoring in the fifth minute against the Terriers. ETSU's leading scorer Joao Ramalho found the back of the goal, shooting inside the box after a pass in from William Nordenrstrom.
The Terriers retaliated quickly. Three minutes later, a penalty led to a long free kick, taken by Dominguez-Gonazalez. The midfielder lobbed the ball to the back post, past the keeper. Senior defender Forrest Lasso then finished off the goal with a tap in from the goal line to even the game, 1-1.
East Tennesse State scored again at the 21:01 mark. A foul in the box led to the penalty kick for the Bucs. Anthony Wojas struck the ball into the top half of the goal. Garrett Closs dove the right way, but was beaten over the top by Wojas.
Wofford made a promising run in the 29th minute, forcing two back-to-back saves by ETSU's Daniel Adleman. Matthew Aurednik and Pierce Verchick made shots on goal, forcing a corner kick, but the Terriers could not convert on the opportunity.
In the 43rd it looked as if the Terriers would pull ahead. Dominguez-Gonzalez sent in a free kick to the right side, where Charlie Keeley headed the ball across the box. The ball was then headed by Verchick, but strayed just right. The two squads entered the half with ETSU leading, 2-1.
The second half started with a bang, as a flurry of shots from the Terriers proved effective. Verchick struck inside the box, forcing a diving save to deflect the ball to the right. Verchick tracked the ball down before lobbing it back into the center of the box, where Dominguez-Gonzalez headed the ball in the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
At the 66:10 mark the Terriers almost moved ahead. Junior Connor Bauknight streaked past a defender, shooting inside the box nearly curling it past Adelman, who fully extended to make the save. Following a goal from each side, the two headed in to what proved to be two scoreless periods.
Wofford's closest chance to score again came in the 101st minute. A free kick from Dominguez-Gonzalez came to Jaramillo, who volleyed the ball goalward. Adelman was forced to make his most athletic save of the night.
The Terriers travel next to Macon, Georgia, Tuesday night where they will once again play the Mercer Bears for control of the conference before a two-game home stand against UNCG and Furman. Wofford and Mercer kickoff at 7 p.m.
