Wilson Hood scored with 3:21 remaining in the second overtime period for Wofford giving the Terriers a 3-2 victory over High Point in the first game of the JMU Invitational.
HPU came out ready to play dominating the entire first half and most of the contest but had some unlucky bounces and could not capitalize on all of their opportunities. In the 13 minute, junior Hilaire Babou headed a cross from classmate Matt Tuttle which just went over the crossbar. At the 27:46 mark, freshman Karo Okiomah struck a ball from 20 yards out which hit the post. Less than a minute later, Okiomah was surrounded by four defenders at the 18 yard box. He battled through the circle allowing him to beat Wofford goalkeeper Joey Taylor to finally break through for the Panthers and give them a 1-0 lead. High Point kept the pressure on through the remainder of the half but couldn't crack through with another goal. At the half, the Panthers held a 7-1 advantage in goals and 4-0 edge in corner kicks.
"I thought we came out with a lot of energy to start the game and it showed with the stat sheet after the first 45", said head coach Dustin Fonder. "We came out flat in the second half for some reason and it allowed Wofford to hang around. They took advantage of the opportunity and congratulate them on a tough win. This was a game we let slip away, but as a young team we will have our ups and downs and we have to learn and get better every day. There is still going to be a lot of exciting things to come from this soccer team."
Wofford got things corrected in the second half scoring the game-tying goal just over two minutes into the second half. Branson Hyatt laid off a set-piece into the Panthers box to Bryan Eddy who one-timed the ball home. In the 66th minute the roles were reversed as Eddy set-up Hyatt's goal which gave the Terriers a 2-1 advantage in the second half.
A resilient HPU squad kept on battling and almost cracked through with 12:45 remaining on the match. Junior Scott Rojo beat two Terrier defenders and connected with Okiomah who played a ball to senior Chris Shrum who struck a blast which Taylor made a diving save to preserve a 2-1 advantage for Wofford.
The persistent attack from the Panthers again cracked the Terrier defense when sophomore Kiki Gonzalez beat the defense on the right flank and served a cross which found the head of Shrum which knotted the game at 2-2 with six minutes to go.
In the first overtime period, Rojo flicked a ball to Babou who quickly returned the ball for a Rojo shot that curved wide of the net. That was the last threat the Panthers would have before Hood knocked home the game-winner.
In goal for High Point, freshman Michael Chesler picked up the loss while making two saves. Taylor picked up the win for Wofford.
HPU will be back in action Sunday in the final contest of the JMU Invitational. They will take on Mount St. Mary's in the first ever meeting between the schools.
