SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA - Ines Obradovac needed just 16 seconds to write the story of Wofford's hard-fought victory, slotting home a perfectly weighted through ball from Julia Grier and Delaney Minor's intricate passing combination before a spirited crowd at Snyder Field.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became an intense defensive battle, with The Citadel struggling to create clear chances despite dominating possession. Wofford's goalkeeper made three crucial saves in the first half, while The Citadel managed only two shot attempts on target through 45 minutes.
As the first half drew to a close, Wofford's defensive organization began to show cracks, but they held firm to their slender lead. The Terriers' backline absorbed The Citadel's pressure, withstanding waves of attack to maintain their 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. The Citadel's inability to capitalize on their territorial advantage was epitomized by their wasteful finishing, failing to convert any of their 12 first-half shot attempts.
The second half narrative remained unchanged, with The Citadel pushing hard for an equalizer. Their persistence was rewarded in the 55th minute when Ellie Gower finally broke through Wofford's defense, tapping home Ines Obradovac's precise cross to level the score. However, Wofford responded with ruthless efficiency, Ellie Gower dispatching a clinical finish assisted by Obradovac just 12 minutes later to restore the Terriers' lead.
The Citadel threw everything at Wofford in the final 20 minutes, but the Terriers' defense remained resolute. Samantha Grantham sealed the victory with a composed finish in the 68th minute, capitalizing on a Didi Turay through ball to score the insurance goal. The Citadel's Samantha Grantham's goal came too little, too late, as Wofford held on for the 2-1 victory.
The statistical ledger reveals a tale of two contrasting styles - Wofford's clinical counter-attacks versus The Citadel's possession-based approach. The Terriers outshot The Citadel 7-5 on target, despite being outshot overall 25-9. Wofford's disciplined defense held firm against The Citadel's attack, forcing The Citadel to take wild shots from distance. The Citadel managed five corner kicks to Wofford's one, but couldn't capitalize on their set-piece opportunities.
For Wofford, the victory represents their first win in their last three matches, improving their record to 7-8-6 overall and 2-4-3 in the SoCon. The Terriers will look to build on this momentum when they face #1 Samford next, a team that has dominated the conference thus far. The win also ended Wofford's three-match winless streak against ranked opponents, boosting their confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
For The Citadel, the loss extends their losing streak to three games, dropping their record to 5-9-3 overall and 2-5-2 in conference play. They will need to regroup quickly and address their finishing issues if they hope to turn their season around. The Citadel's struggles against top-tier teams continue, as they failed to capitalize on their possession advantage.
The afternoon belonged to Wofford—and specifically to Ines Obradovac, whose opening goal set the tone for the Terriers' victory. Obradovac's performance was a masterclass in attacking soccer, showcasing her speed, skill, and tactical awareness. As Wofford looks to challenge for the SoCon title, players like Obradovac will be crucial to their success.
Key Players:
Ines Obradovac (Wofford) – Scored the opening goal and assisted Ellie Gower's match-winning strike, showcasing her clinical finishing and creative vision.
Ellie Gower (Wofford) – Equalized for Wofford after The Citadel's initial response, then scored the match-winning goal with a ruthless finish.
Samantha Grantham (The Citadel) – Pulled The Citadel level with a well-taken goal, but ultimately couldn't prevent the loss.
Julia Grier (Wofford) – Orchestrated Wofford's attacking play with intelligent distribution and positioning, creating multiple scoring chances.