Box Score Related LinksBox Score (PDF) BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Wofford College men's soccer team came out dominant on Sunday afternoon en route to a 3-0 win against Gardner-Webb at Greene-Harbison Stadium.
The match's game-winner came early with junior forward Nestor Jarmillo finding a goal in the first five minutes of the game. After a few initial shots, the Terriers found the back of the net when senior Ryan Hurst crossed the ball into the box where Jaramillo finished the goal near the post to put the Terriers up 1-0.
Matthew Aurednik padded the lead before halftime and Carlos Dominguez-Gonzalez added insurance late in the second.
The game marked the end of the SoCon/Big South Challenge. Winthrop's Jordi Lluch was named the Tournament MVP, while Dominguez-Gonzalez, Jaramillo and senior defender Forrest Lasso were named to the All-Tournament team.
The Terriers (1-1-0) controlled Sunday's matinee throughout, edging out the Runnin' Bulldogs (0-2-0) in nearly every category. Wofford won the shooting margin 26-8, with 13 shots on goal to Gardner-Webb's three and eight corners to the Runnin' Bulldogs' four. The two teams weren't shy about contact, drawing 33 fouls between them.
Following the initial goal, Wofford refused to let up the offensive pressure. Jaramillo, freshman Matthew Aurednik and senior Carlos Dominguez-Gonzalez all took shots over the next four minutes.
Gardner-Webb had their first try in the 10th minute, when Ali Al-Gashamy ripped a shot from just outside the box. Sophomore keeper Garrett Closs would stifle the shot.
The Terriers would strike again in the 31st minute. Junior midfielder Will Puckett sent a long pass into the field's attacking third where Aurednik settled the ball before ripping it into the upper-left corner of the goal from the 18-yard mark for his first score of the season.
The Terriers had two more shots from junior defender Kevin Hady and senior midfielder Pierce Verchick before the end of the half.
It was more of the same in the second half as Wofford continued to apply pressure offensively, while remaining firm on defense. The Terriers had multiple offensive runs in the first 15 minutes, with Benny Puetter, Connor Davis, Hurst and Jaramillo all taking shots on goal, but none converting.
The Terriers had another near goal in the 69th minute on a diving header by Davis. The ball found the back of the net, but was later called back after being declared offside.
Wofford put the nail in the coffin in the 79th minute with its third goal of the game. Puckett sent in a corner to Lasso, who headed the ball to Dominguez-Gonzalez. Dominguez-Gonzalez then buried the goal in the bottom right corner on a header, securing the Terrier win.
Closs (1-1-0) had three important saves to secure his first victory and shutout of the season. Despite 10 saves, Gardner-Webb's Matthew Swan moves to 0-2-0.
The Terriers play again on Saturday, as they head to Clinton, S.C. to take on in-state opponent Presbyterian College at 2 p.m.
