SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Wofford men's soccer team had its first full game since September 17 Saturday afternoon, defeating Gardner-Webb 3-2 with an explosive first half at Snyder Field. With the win, the Terriers improve to 4-2-1, and the Runnin' Bulldogs drop to 5-2-1. 

The match started off Gardner-Webb's way early, controlling possession and having five shots within the first 30 minutes of play. The Terrier defense blocked two shots, and first-year goalkeeper Leo Ledin saved two with the final shot hitting the crossbar and bouncing out of play. In the 35th  minute, head coach Joel Tyson subbed Declan Mettee into the game in hopes of jumpstarting the Wofford attack. Within a minute, the ball found Thaddeus Dennis in the box and was then crossed to the fresh Declan Mettee, who slotted a shot around the goalkeeper to open the scoring 1-0.  

The Terriers were invigorated by the opening score and continued the offensive onslaught. In the 42nd minute, Stewart Patnaud intercepted a pass from a Gardner-Webb center back and passed it to the racing Declan Mettee. Surging into the box, he sent a pass to the back post for the waiting Thaddeus Dennis to score a sliding goal to put the Terriers up 2-0.  

The second half was back and forth, with Gardner-Webb desperately trying to go on the attack. In the 76th  minute, a corner was awarded to the Runnin' Bulldogs who cashed in, putting a header to the bottom left corner of the goal, making the score 2-1. 

In the 78th  minute, with the momentum slowly shifting to Gardner-Webb, the Wofford attack took a shot from outside the box that deflected off a Gardner-Webb defender's hand which resulted in a penalty kick. The true freshman Kalle Rahbek coolly stepped up to the spot and, with the composure of a fifth-year senior, rifled a ball to the top-right corner for a goal making the score 3-1. 

However, the Runnin' Bulldogs showed no quit and responded with a goal in the 88th minute. But with so little time left they could not muster up another attack to give the Terriers the victory.  

The Terriers were outshot 19 to six in the game, conceding nine corners compared to only one taken by Wofford. The game was physical with 29 fouls in total, 18 for Gardner-Webb and 11 for Wofford, with 5 cards being given out, including a red card given to the Gardner-Webb assistant coach.  

The Terriers will look to continue the offensive surge at Wake Forest on October 8. Kickoff will begin at 7pm on the ACC Network.