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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Despite a pair of goals from sophomore Matthew Aurednik, it was the golden goal from Charlotte's Matej Dekovic that gave the 49ers a 3-2 edge in two overtime periods at Transamerica Field on Monday evening. The win was the first for No. 20 Charlotte in four meetings between the two clubs.
 
With just five minutes remaining, Charlotte was fouled 30 yards out, setting up a free kick taken by sophomore midfielder Brandt Bronico. The ball flew into the box, where Dekovic would send home the game-winner.
 
Sophomore keeper Garrett Closs had a career game for the Terriers, logging a personal-best six saves. Even with the impressive performance, Closs' 105 minutes logged in goal put him to 1-3-0 on the season, while Charlotte's Austin Pack earns a 4-1-0 record.
 
Charlotte proved a worthy opponent, topping Wofford 18-8 in the shooting margin and 8-2 in corner kicks. Both teams were even keel in shot on goal percentage, though Charlotte earned more opportunities.
 
The Terriers had a lapse on defense early, allowing a goal in the fifth minute of action. Charlotte's Dominic Bonilla received the ball and managed to beat the Terrier defense, before crossing the ball across the box, where Kyle Parker tapped in the 49ers' first goal of the evening.
 
Wofford saw their first real shot on goal ten minutes in. A cross came in to Nestor Jaramillo, who struck the ball just right of the net.
 
Junior midfielder Connor Davis made a promising run for Wofford again in the 28th minute. Davis had a shot on goal from just outside 18 yards, but it was knocked down by Pack.
 
Three minutes later the Terriers would find their stride. Wofford made a strong counter attack, as midfielder Nick Orton crossed the ball to sophomore forward Matthew Aurednik just outside the box. Aurednik wasted no time, blasting the ball into the back of the net for the equalizing goal.
 
Wofford would see their final true attack of the half in the 40th minute, on a near-perfect cross from senior outside back Ryan Hurst. The ball soared towards the far post, as junior midfielder Connor Copeland was just a second behind earning a second goal. The two teams would enter halftime dead even.
 
The second half began with excitement, as sophomore keeper Garrett Closs had two athletic saves. The first came when Bronico crossed the ball into Dekovic, who set up a dangerous header that Closs punched out of bounds. Seconds later, Closs would deflect another try coming off a corner from Bronico.
 
The Terriers found pay dirt in the 52nd minute. The scoring run began with Copeland, who lobbed the ball from the right side of the box.  The ball sailed over to the opposite end of the box, where Hurst lobbed the ball into the center, when Aurednik volleyed home his second goal of the night.
 
Closs stepped up once again in the 57th minute. After a foul just outside the box, Closs made a leaping save to swat an incoming shot from sailing into the upper-right corner of the goal. Closs would answer the call once again two minutes later, deflecting another shot with a split-second reaction on a shot coming from Monbo Bokar inside of the box. Closs endured a collision in the 65th minute, going down momentarily, but powered through and completed the game.
 
With 11 minutes remaining, the 49ers would find their way back into the game. Parker passed the ball low across to Brontico, who then fired the ball into the upper-left corner. Closs would dive towards the ball, but it was just out of reach, knotting the game up once again. A winner would not be decided in regulation.
 
The two teams looked even in possession in the first overtime period. Jaramillo nearly scored in the 96th minute forcing a corner. The 49ers would then take three consecutive shots on an aggressive counter attack. Bokar nearly found the back of the net before Hurst slid in on a defensive save to deter the first shot. Closs would make back-to-back saves before a last-second free kick opportunity for Charlotte. The defensive stand forced a second overtime.
 
Both teams were physical in the remaining time, accruing the majority of the 20 fouls in the last thirty minutes.
 
Connor Davis nearly scored three minutes into the second overtime period. The shot trailed just right of the goal, and was the closest try the Terriers would see before the eventual Dekvoic goal.
 
The men's soccer team continues their six-game road trip with Jacksonville University on Friday evening. The non-conference tilt will begin at 7 p.m.