SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford men's soccer team dropped a close match against ETSU on Saturday night, falling 2-1 at Snyder Field to give the Terriers its first conference loss of the season. The Terriers struggled to capitalize on limited scoring chances in the second half to ultimately drop their record to 1-8-1 overall and 0-1-0 in SoCon play.
 
The Bucs struck first in the ninth minute as ETSU's Danny Barlow rocketed a shot to the top right corner from about 30-yards out to give them the early 1-0 lead. It wouldn't take long for the Terriers to respond with a goal of their own, tying the score at 1-1 in the 19^th minute. Zach Aversano laid out a beautiful cross into the box from the far right wing to set up teammate Connor Donohue for a strike that would roll into the back right corner of the net. The Terriers nearly found the tiebreaker in the 29^th minute, as Andreas Suri was able to connect on another Aversano cross for a header that narrowly landed over the crossbar. Wofford would go on to force tough shots for the Bucs for the duration of the half, sending the score tied at 1-1 going into the intermission.
 
Both teams came out the half playing with aggression, with a pair of yellow cards being given out to ETSU's Nick Spielman and Wofford's Zach Aversano just six minutes in. A foul near the box would cost the Terriers in the 53^rd minute, as it set up the Bucs second goal on a free kick to give ETSU the lead again, 2-1. Going forward, ETSU's defense wouldn't give the Terriers much breathing room, allowing only three shots for Wofford in the second half. The Terriers nearly found the equalizer when Lucas Altman found enough wiggle room to send a shot from the top of the box, in the 68^th minute, that would unfortunately roll just wide right of the post. Wofford went on to make a final push, though, the Bucs would manage to handle the pressure, securing the 2-1 victory at the end of regulation.
 
ETSU took the shot advantage for the match, 14-6, while also taking the corner kick advantage, 3-1.
 
Connor Donohue notched his second goal of the year in the match, while Zach Aversano added an assist. Additionally, Sam Ross and Lucas Altman took two shots apiece for the Terriers.
 
Despite the loss, Shane Berson totaled four saves on the night.
 
The Terriers return to the pitch on Tuesday, October 9, hosting UNCG at Snyder Field for a 7 p.m. conference matchup.