TERRIERS FINISH SECOND IN SOCON REGULAR SEASON—
Wofford men’s Soccer team finished the 2014 fall season with 11 wins, six losses and one draw. The Terriers finished second in the Southern Conference regular season, before eventually falling one to zero to the Furman Paladins in the semifinal of the SoCon tournament. Head Coach Ralph Polson says that the season was a success for the Terriers, despite the disappointing result in the tournament.
“We were disappointed that we didn’t win the SoCon regular season, nor the tournament, but the season was a success,” Polson says.
Polson views the season as another step in the continued improvement of Wofford soccer overall.
“Soccer at Wofford has come a long way. For a long time the program struggled at the bottom of the SoCon,” Polson says. “We are now one of the best, and we don’t ‘hope’ to compete for a championship, we expect to compete.”
Polson’s team indeed made huge strides during this season, finishing the season undefeated at home with seven wins in seven games at Snyder Field. The Terriers were one of four Division I teams to go undefeated on their home field this year. Polson points out that the success at Snyder field is part of a two-year trend.
“We take great pride in playing at home,” Polson says. “We are actually 14 and one in the past two years at home.”
Six Wofford players received All-SoCon honors. Sophomore Matt Aurednik, junior Connor Davis, and seniors Carlos Dominguez-Gonzalez and Forest Lasso were on the all-conference first team, while junior Nestor Jaramillo and senior Ryan Hurst were on the second team.
“Having six players recognized as all-SoCon says a lot about the respect that Wofford soccer has in the conference,” Polson says. “Coaches and teams alike respect the quality of player we have and the way that we play the game.”
Wofford as a team was in a tie for fourth nationally with 2.22 goals per game. Aurednik scored 17 goals, ranking him 22nd nationally. Polson also points out that the Terriers were awarded for their academic achievement by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The award marks the eighth straight year that the Terriers have had a team GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Polson acknowledges that it will be tough to replace the senior class of 2015.
“Kudos to the graduating seniors, all 10 of them,” Polson says. “They leave Wofford as the winningest senior class in the Division I era.”
Polson says that these seniors have made a lasting change on the program.“They have helped mold Wofford into one of the most successful programs in the Southern Conference.”
The spring season will be an opportunity for the Terriers to give some younger players a chance to play. The team is returning 24 players, but six will be studying abroad, meaning there will be extra chances for young players to play. Polson believes these young players can step up and continue the improvement in the program.
