Lexington, Va.- The Wofford Men's soccer team earned its final win of the 2024 regular season Saturday afternoon at VMI.  The 2-1 victory was fueled by fifth-year senior Paul Jones and transfer Nathan Simes both scoring a goal. Wofford improves to 7-6-2 (3-2 SoCon) as VMI falls to 5-10-2 (0-5 SoCon) as both teams enter the Southern Conference Tournament. 

The match started off slow for both teams, as neither side would fire off a shot until the 16th minute of the match. However, in the 18th minute a Jakob Andersson pass found fifth-year senior Paul Jones for his first collegiate goal to put Wofford up 1-0.  

The Terriers would keep up the pressure on the Keydets,  taking three shots in a five-minute span after the initial goal was conceded. The VMI defense could not handle the strain which resulted in a foul in the box in the 23rd minute. Transfer Nathan Simes would be tasked with taking the penalty and would drill a shot past the VMI goalkeeper to extend Wofford's lead to 2-0 and secure his first goal at Wofford. Nathan Simes, a transfer from Fordham, scored six goals in his collegiate career at Fordham before transferring to Wofford. VMI would take five shots after the penalty goal but were unsuccessful in putting the ball in the net as the Wofford defense would hold strong denying all chances as both teams enter the half.  

The Keydets would continue their offensive push in the second half, taking 11 shots compared to the Terriers' two. However, the Terrier back line would continue to hold strong blocking three shots and making a team save in the half. In the 85th minute the VMI attack would finally bear fruit as a shot would get by Leo Ledin and the strong Wofford defense to bring the score back to 2-1. However, VMI could not mount another attack as the Terriers would bleed out the rest of the clock for the 2-1 victory.  

With these vital three points secured Wofford now waits for the results of Furman against Mercer and ETSU against UNCG. If Furman and UNCG both draw or tie the Terriers would jump both teams in standings securing the second seed as well as home field for the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. Tournament play will begin Friday, November 8.