SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford men's soccer team outlasted a High Point University comeback attempt at Snyder Field on Wednesday night, hanging on to defeat the Panthers 2-1. Oliver Sheikli opened the scoring in the second half when he found the bottom of the goal in the 47^th minute. Magnus Kjoller extended the lead to 2-0 for the Terriers with his header in the 71^st minute. High Point cut into the deficit when Finn McRobb scored in the 82^nd minute, but it wasn't enough as the Terriers held on for the victory on Senior Night.
 
"First and foremost, it was a fantastic effort from the group to bounce back from a really hard game against Furman this past weekend," said head coach Joel Tyson. "I thought High Point was really good tonight, and they put in a few tough moments, but our guys responded well. At the half we talked about being consistent with what we were doing. We kind of got out of our rhythm at the end of the first half and we told the group to be more patient. It turned into a goal in the first minute of the second half. It wasn't so much adjusting as it was just being more consistent with what we want to do in a game. Our seniors have been brilliant. They have come together in a weird way, but that was the first real class that I had since coming back to the program. Each one is special in their own right in what they bring with their attitude and diligence with the team. Their leadership is going to be seen for years to come within this group now."
 
The Terriers got off the first shot when Amin Mohammedi missed right in the 8^th minute. Jackson Wrobel then put on a couple of unsuccessful attempts in the 14^th and 17^th minutes. High Point finally got their first shot in the 25^th minute, but it was saved. The Panther attack picked up some momentum, firing off the next three shots, but none could connect. Alex Dennis had a chance in the 36^th minute, but his shot was blocked. High Point remained on the attack, putting on the next three shots, all unsuccessful. The squads entered halftime scoreless.
 
It was not long into the second half before a ball finally found the back of the net. Mitchell Myers played a cross to Oliver Sheikli in the 47^th minute, who brought it down in the box and slotted it into the bottom right corner to put the Terriers ahead. The Panthers sent off a multitude of shots to try to draw level, but nothing could connect. Wofford had another chance in the 66^th minute when High Point surrendered a penalty, but the ensuing shot from Mitchell Myers was saved. Shortly thereafter, Jackson Wrobel received a yellow card in the 68^th minute. With the Terriers in desperate need of an insurance goal, Magnus Kjoller delivered. Wofford earned a free kick in the 71^st minute, and Mitchell Myers crossed it into the box where Kjoller headed it home. The second goal proved important, as High Point responded 10 minutes later. After earning a corner kick, the Panthers' cross into the box found the head of Finn McRobb and into the net. Even with a yellow card on Daan Snellink in the 82^nd minute, the Panthers could not complete the comeback as Wofford held on to a 2-1 victory.
 
Wofford (4-8-1, 1-2-1) put on nine shots in the contest while High Point (5-6-2, 3-0-2) sent 16 shots. The Panthers also led in corner kicks, 6-5. Joshua Old (4-7-1) tallied five saves in net for the Terriers. Trent Holden (5-5-2) totaled two saved for the Panthers.
 
The Senior Night triumph also ended a three-match losing streak against High Point, marking the Terriers' first victory over the Panthers since Sept. 5, 2008.
 
Wofford returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 23 to take on UNC Greensboro. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm in Greensboro, N.C.