Wofford Downs Upstate, 1-0, in Rivalry Game
9/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Spartanburg, S.C. – Wofford took just two shots in the second half, but one was the difference as the Terriers took a 1-0 victory over USC Upstate in non-conference men's soccer action Wednesday night at Snyder Field.
Wofford scored in the 60th-minute to earn the victory in a hard-fought game between schools located just 3.5 miles away from each other. Upstate fell to 2-3-1 on the year, while Wofford improved to 5-3-0. The Spartans will take on 22nd-ranked Furman Friday night at County University Soccer Stadium.
"It was a tough match, a good match, and they came out on top. We knew coming in that they were good on set pieces and that's how they scored their goal. We didn't possess the ball well, and we need to do a better job of that as we move forward with the season. We will put this behind us and turn our attention to Furman on Friday," said Upstate head coach Greg Hooks.
It took nearly 15 minutes for either team to get a shot off in the first half, but that shot from Wofford was a good 15 feet of the goal and not a threat. The Terriers got off two more shots before Upstate got its first opportunity, a curving shot from 22 yards by Dustin Bailey which was saved by Wofford's Andrew Drennan. It was the first shot on goal in the match.
Although Wofford had taken eight shots in the first 35 minutes, only one was on frame, and that was saved by Upstate keeper Dani Alvarado (Leander, Texas) in the 21st minute. Other than a long shot off the foot of John Collins (Cape Cod, Mass.) and a missed header by Wofford, neither team threatened the remainder of the half as the teams went into halftime in a scoreless tie.
Wofford held a 10-5 lead in shots in the first half, though only one was on goal. Three of Upstate's shots were on goal.
After nearly 14 minutes of play in the second half and with both teams jockeying for possession, Wofford broke through after an Upstate foul. The Terriers took a free kick and played it into the box. The ball was re-directed across the goal mouth where Alex Hutchins put the shot away to give Wofford a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute.
The second half was basically a defensive struggle. While the teams combined for 15 shots in the first half, Upstate and Wofford combined for four in the second period. The Spartans were able to only get one shot off in the final 35 minutes of the contest.
Wofford held a 12-7 lead in shots for the game. The teams were even, 2-2, in the second half.
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