Wofford 2, Jacksonville 2
SPARTANBURG, SC - A new record set by junior Brandon Lowery and a second half goal by classmate Joel Kozak provided the spotlights for the Wofford men's soccer team in a 2-2 double-overtime tie Tuesday night versus Jacksonville at Snyder Field.
Lowery became the Terriers' Division I single-season goal scoring record holder with his first half tally. The goal, his eighth of the season, came on a header following a Jesus Arroyo-Peco corner kick at the 9:24 mark. Lowery now surpasses the previous standard set by Carter Noland in 1996 and tied by Arroyo-Peco this season.
The Gastonia, N.C., native has also accumulated 11 goals to tie Arroyo-Peco for second on the Wofford chart for career scores in the program's Division I history (1995-present).
Less than five minutes later, a pair of passes exchanged between the Dolphins' Patrik Werner and Tommy Krizanovic eventually landed onto the feet of Anton Axelsson. Axelsson then nailed the equalizer at 14:04 past Terrier goalkeeper Joey Taylor.
Jacksonville (6-9-2) took the lead at 17:15 when Bojan Milicevic sent a corner kick into the box to Krizanovic as the visitors mounted a 13-4 shot advantage at the intermission by controlling much of the possession and speed in the contest.
Wofford (5-10-3) would not be outdone, however, as Thomas Coley sent a cross from the right side of the 18-yard box across the goal to a wide open Joel Kozak. Kozak headed the ball into the open net to tie the contest at 70:16.
The Terriers played more aggressive the remaining 65 minutes after halftime but could not find the back of the net again.
Taylor collected 11 saves in net, one shy of his career-best total of 12 which he registered versus UNC Greensboro in the SoCon finale Saturday night.
Gerrit deBoer posted five saves in the cage for the Dolphins.
Prior to the start of the game, which was the final regular-season contest for Wofford, the Terriers honored their five seniors as part of Senior Night ceremonies. Playing in their final home match were Arroyo-Peco, R.P. Benik, Carter Ladd and Ritter Sansoni. Tommy Kandl was recognized but could not play due to injury. The four seniors that did see playing time were chosen as the game captains.
With the regular season complete, Wofford now waits for the conclusion of the remainder of the Southern Conference slate Wednesday before learning of its destiny for the upcoming SoCon Tournament. The first round tilts will be held at the campus sites of the top-four seeds Saturday Nov. 5 and then the semifinals and finals will be played at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., Nov. 11 and 13.