The Winthrop University men’s soccer team experienced its first loss of the season on Tuesday evening, September 1, falling 2-1 to Wofford College in a non-conference match held in Spartanburg. This result brings Winthrop’s season record to 2-1-0, with their Big South Conference record remaining at 0-0-0. Wofford College now stands at 2-0-1 in their season, with a Southern Conference record of 0-0-0.
Winthrop initially took an early lead in the third minute of the game. Juma Baden scored an unassisted goal, marking his second goal of the season, which ties him for the team lead. The play began with Owen Deer connecting with Teo Jelaca from a throw-in. Jelaca then made a short touch to Baden, who dribbled past the last defender and struck a shot into the lower left corner of the goal.
Wofford College equalized before halftime, with the score standing at 1-1. Fabian Menendez collected a cleared long throw-in and served it back post, where Adam Celik headed the ball into the net. Winthrop nearly regained the lead in the 77th minute when Alfie Humphrey had a shot at goal inside the box, but the attempt was deflected by a Wofford defender and went wide for a corner kick.
Wofford secured the lead in the 83rd minute. Sam Case dribbled toward the middle of the field and passed to Bear Rice in the box, who then fired a shot past Winthrop’s Euan Brindley into the lower left corner. Brindley concluded the game with a season-high six saves. This match marks the third consecutive one-goal game in the series between Winthrop and Wofford, and the fifth in their last seven meetings.
The Eagles will continue their road schedule, heading to Lexington, Virginia, on Saturday, September 5, to face VMI at 3 p.m.
