JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE - Henrique Cruz needed just 17 minutes and 51 seconds to write the story of ETSU's victory, slotting home the opening goal and propelling the Buccaneers to a 4-2 win over Wofford before 842 fans at Summers-Taylor Stadium.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became an offensive showcase, with both teams creating scoring opportunities throughout the match. ETSU's Sergio Baguena doubled the lead in the 29th minute, finishing a beautifully weighted through ball from Gabriel Betancourt. The Buccaneers continued to press their advantage, with Nathan Simes scoring his first goal of the season just before halftime, converting from close range in the 41st minute.
As the first half drew to a close, ETSU held a commanding 3-0 lead, having outshot Wofford 9-5 through 45 minutes. The Terriers, however, refused to back down, and their persistence was rewarded when Jaime Carrillo scored for Wofford in the 61st minute, assisted by Berkay Duman. The Terriers' fightback gained momentum just four minutes later when Carrillo scored his second, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.
ETSU restored their two-goal cushion when Declan Mettee scored in the 81st minute, securing the Buccaneers' fourth win of the season. Wofford's late effort was too little, too late, as ETSU held on for the 4-2 victory. The win extends ETSU's unbeaten streak to two games, improving their record to 2-7-4 overall and maintaining their 2-2 standing in the conference.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two halves, with ETSU dominating the early going before Wofford mounted a spirited comeback. Wofford outshot ETSU 22-9 overall, but the Buccaneers held a marginal advantage in shots on target, with 4 to Wofford's 11, though ETSU goalkeeper made 9 saves. The Terriers earned 13 corner kicks to ETSU's 1, but failed to capitalize on their set-piece opportunities. ETSU's defensive efforts were marked by a single yellow card, shown to a player in the second half.
The victory represents more than three points for ETSU; it signifies a growing confidence in their attacking prowess. With Cruz and Simes finding the back of the net, the Buccaneers' offense is starting to click. ETSU will look to build on this momentum when they face VMI next. For Wofford, the loss extends their losing streak to one game, dropping their record to 5-9-2 overall. They will look to regroup against Furman in their next outing.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for these two teams. ETSU will need to maintain their defensive solidity while continuing to create scoring chances. Wofford, on the other hand, must address their defensive vulnerabilities if they hope to turn their season around.
The afternoon belonged to ETSU's attackers, who orchestrated the victory with their clinical finishing and intelligent movement. As the Buccaneers celebrate their win, they will be eager to keep the momentum going against VMI.
Key Players:
Henrique Cruz (ETSU) – Slotted home the opening goal in the 17th minute, setting the tone for ETSU's victory with his precise finishing.
Sergio Baguena (ETSU) – Doubled ETSU's lead in the 29th minute with a beautifully finished goal, showcasing his clinical ability in front of goal.
Jaime Carrillo (Wofford) – Scored twice for Wofford, first in the 61st minute and again in the 65th, keeping his team's chances alive with his determination.
Declan Mettee (ETSU) – Sealed the win for ETSU with a goal in the 81st minute, providing the final punctuation to a thrilling match with his composed finish.