JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The men's soccer team allowed four first half goals and eventually fell to ETSU 5-0 in the Southern Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Summers-Taylor Stadium Saturday night.
 
Wofford (9-7-2, 4-5-1 SoCon) ends its 2015 season with the loss. The Terriers were outshot in the match 12-9, with six of their nine shots coming in the second half.
 
ETSU (8-6-3, 4-4-2 SoCon) scored the first goal of the match in the 24th minute. Midfielder James Smith gave fellow midfielder Mitchell Cecatiello a leading pass toward the box, which Cecatiello touched into the left corner of the net just under the hands of a diving Garrett Closs.
 
Minutes later, midfielder Fletcher Ekern struck a line drive past Closs into the net to give ETSU a 2-0 advantage at 27' mark. Cecatiello assisted on Ekern's goal.
 
Wofford had a couple close scoring chances early in the half. Forward Matthew Aurednik headed a pass from the center of the box, but ETSU keeper Jonny Sutherland was able to make the save. Later, midfielder Will Puckett lined up a shot that hit off the right post and deflected out, keeping the score at 2-0 in favor of ETSU with 15 minutes in the half remaining.
 
Ekern found the back of the net later in the first half as well. Forward Henrique Novaes' corner kick in the 35th minute went to forward Cameron Woodfin, who found Ekern close to the net and passed him the ball to set up Ekern's 10th goal of the season.
 
Novaes would add a fourth goal for ETSU at the 40th minute to give the Buccaneers a 4-0 halftime lead.
 
The Terriers had a prime chance to score with 30 minutes left in the second half, as midfielder Connor Donohue crossed the ball to an open Matthew Ward. Ward's one-time shot however sailed just high of the net.
 
Smith scored ETSU's fifth and final goal on a corner kick pass from forward Joao Ramalho with less than 28 minutes left in the second half.
 
Wofford could not get much going offensively late and was held from scoring despite winning the corner kick battle 8-5 over the Buccaneers.
 
Closs suffered the defeat for the Terriers, making one save in the match. Sutherland earned the victory while making three saves for ETSU.
 
The loss tonight was the Terriers' worst loss since the 2006 season. It also was only the second time the Terriers were shutout this season.
 
ETSU advances to play the number-one seeded UNCG Spartans Nov. 13 at 3:30 pm in the semifinals, held at Summers-Taylor Stadium.