SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford men's soccer team bested the VMI Keydets, 2-0, in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament at Snyder Field Monday night. Jackson Wrobel opened the scoring when he struck from just outside the box in the 13^th minute. He then assisted Charlie Harris in the 88^th minute to put the No. 7 seeded Keydets away, 2-0.
 
The win is Wofford's 16^th consecutive victory over VMI. The result also marks the first SoCon Tournament victory for the Terriers since 2016, a 3-1 triumph that also came against the Keydets.
 
The Terriers came out of the gate firing on offense, sending off two shots in the first four minutes, though neither connected. Mitchell Myers then missed high in the 12^th minute, but Wofford's attack clicked in the 13^th minute. Jackson Wrobel shot from just outside the box and into the bottom left corner of the goal to give the Terriers the early lead. Oliver Sheikhli had a chance to extend the lead in the 22^nd minute, but his shot banged off the left post. A minute later, the Keydets put on their first shot of the match – an attempt to slot one home in the bottom left corner that was saved by Joshua Old. Wofford's last chance of the half was cut short by an offside call in the 33^rd minute, sending the squads to halftime with the Terriers clinging to a tight 1-0 lead.
 
VMI opened the second half with an attempt to equalize in the 52^nd minute that was saved. Thaddeus Dennis took two attempts himself in the 55^th and 56^th minutes, but neither could connect. The Keydets received a yellow card in the 76^th minute, prompting a shot from Oliver Sheikhli that was saved. Another yellow card for VMI two minutes later set Wofford up for back-to-back shots from Mitchell Myers and Diego Reyes, but both missed. Reyes had another look at an insurance goal in the 83^rd minute, but it soared out high. Though the Keydets were booked for a third yellow card in the 84^th minute, Cole Mooney had a look at an equalizer in the 86^th minute, but Joshua Old held on for the save. Needing an insurance goal, the Terriers found their moment in the 88^th minute. The VMI defense broke down, leaving the Terriers open to break away. With a two-on-one chance, Jackson Wrobel brought the keeper to the right and slid the ball across the box to Charlie Harris, who tapped it in to put the game on ice and secure the 2-0 victory.
 
Wofford (5-10-1, 1-4-1) posted 13 shots on the night with five on goal while holding VMI (1-16-1, 0-6-0) to just three, all of which were on goal. The Terriers also edged the Keydets in corner kicks, 4-3. Joshua Old (5-9-1) tallied three saves in net to secure the clean sheet for the Terriers. Broden Schull (1-16-1) also tallied three saved in goal for the Keyets.
 
No. 6 seed Wofford will travel to Macon, Ga. for the quarterfinals of the SoCon Tournament on Friday night against the No. 3 seed Furman Paladins. The contest is set for a 7:00 pm kickoff.