Wofford 1, Belmont 0
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Junior goalkeeper Joey Taylor had a solid outing on both ends of the field for the second time this season in leading the Wofford men's soccer team to a 1-0 Senior Day victory Sunday afternoon over Belmont and giving the Terriers the South Carolina/Tennessee Challenge tournament title. Wofford clinched the team crown after also defeating Lipscomb Friday.
Taylor registered seven saves in net for his sixth shutout of the season, tying the all-time Terrier single-season record. He matched the record set by Mark Buskirk in 1979, the program's fifth campaign of playing intercollegiate soccer. Taylor also increases his career mark to nine, moving within four of Will King (1990-93) for the school career record of 13.
The game's only goal also came courtesy of Taylor. After Wofford (6-11-1) freshman Wilson Hood drew a foul inside the 18-yard box, Taylor lined up for the Penalty Kick. He sent his shot past Belmont (7-9-2) goalie Ron Gravely to the right-side netting at 67:09 for his second career goal. Taylor also scored on a PK situation in the Terriers' 3-0 triumph over VMI Oct. 17, 2007.
Freshman Kentrel Owens led all players with three shots, including a point-blank attempt which was saved by Gravely near the right post. The Bruins were led by Navarda Heath and Justin Mooneyhan with two attempts apiece.
Wofford's six wins this season are the most since it also collected six under head coach John Blair during the 1996 campaign, the program's second season playing at the NCAA Division I level.
Prior to the start of the game, the Terriers honored the on and off the field accomplishments of this year's senior class: Reed Blair, James Fogartie and Kyle Walker who are winding down their careers in a Wofford uniform.
An all-tournament team and offensive and defensive MVPs will be announced Monday.
The Terriers will conclude regular-season competition with a 6 p.m. Wednesday match against Birmingham-Southern at Snyder Field. Wofford will then compete in the Southern Conference Tournament.
#16 Furman 3, Lipscomb 1
Greenville, S.C. -- Furman scored three unanswered goals to rally past Lipscomb for a 3-1 men’s soccer victory in the regular season finale on senior day at Stone Soccer Stadium.
The win improved Furman to 15-3-0 on the season while Lipscomb dropped to 5-11-3. Wofford defeated Belmont in Sunday’s other South Carolina/Tennessee Challenge action to claim the tournament title.
Furman looked like it would claim the early lead when a handball in the box set up a penalty kick for Eric Baffour, but Bisons keeper Jake Goergen saved the low shot to his left to keep the match scoreless.
Miguel Dasilva put Lipscomb on top at the 12:11 mark. Goergen’s goal kick fell at the feet of the forward who hammered a shot by Furman goalkeeper Bryan Amos to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead.
Chris Davis pulled Furman even in the 22nd minute with his fourth goal of the season. The senior intercepted a clearing pass in the box and lined a shot to the right corner. Haris Cekic moved the Paladins into the lead with his seventh goal of the season in the 35th minute. Jordan Howard chipped a long pass to the top of the box and Cekic drove a low shot past Goergen at 34:21.
Senior captain Jon Leathers put the game out of reach at the 63:43 mark. Michael Erwood’s long pass to Patrick Murray was redirected behind the defense and Leathers touched it by the keeper before finishing for his first career goal.
Furman held an 18-10 edge in shots in a game that featured seven yellow cards. Goergen made six saves for the Bisons while Amos did not record a stop in the victory.
Top-seeded Furman will host Wofford in the Southern Conference quarterfinals Saturday at 6 p.m. at Stone Soccer Stadium.
UNC Asheville 2, Appalachian State 1
BOONE, N.C. - The stage was set for an Appalachian State victory on senior day, but a pair of late UNC Asheville goals gave the Bulldogs the victory. Appalachian sees their winless streak extended to eight matches as the Mountaineers close the regular season at 6-9-3. Asheville improves to 3-11-1 with one match remaining in the regular season.improves to 3-11-1 with one match remaining in the regular season.
“We dominated the game today and have nothing to show for it,” said head coach Paul Stahlschmidt. “Obviously this is very frustrating, but we have new life and a lot to play for in the SoCon tournament.”
The Mountaineers owned the run of play taking 20 shots to the Bulldog’s eight. In the first half, the Mountaineers put seven shots on target while UNC Asheville failed to record a shot on goal.
Appalachian opened the scoring in the 61st minute with junior Juan Obregon bulging the net from 18-yards. Obregon’s fourth goal of the season was assisted by sophomore Arie Muniz.
The Bulldogs answered only six minutes later with a goal of their own from Scott Seymanski. The UNCA striker converted a 35-yard free kick for his seventh goal of the season. The Seymanski goal brought the teams level at 1-1.
Just as overtime seemed the only logical conclusion, UNC Asheville took their first lead of the match in the 86th minute. John Hillman scored the game-winning goal from eight yards out. Patrick Tate earned the assist as he delivered the free kick into the box.
Senior Greg Walters took the loss in goal making only two saves and allowing two goals in his final match at the ASU Soccer Stadium.
Appalachian will now advance to the SoCon tournament. The No. 5 seed Mountaineers will face-off against the No. 4 seed Elon Phoenix on Saturday, November 10. Game time will be announced by the SoCon later this week.