Otters Battle to 1–1 Road Draw Against Wake FC
The Otters travelled to Holly Springs, North Carolina on Tuesday night and came away with a 1–1 draw against Wake FC. The match featured plenty of chances for both sides, but three post denials for the Otters left Danilo Seglio (Loyola Maryland) as the only goal scorer. The result leaves the Otters unbeaten in three games and moving up the USL League Two table. The Otters return home THIS SATURDAY for a pivotal match against Tobacco Road FC at 7 PM inside TVA Credit Union Ballpark! Tickets are already on sale for general admission and on-field seating, and as always children 12 and under get in FREE to all Otters home games!
From the very beginning the game had a physical tone to it, as the Otters controlled possession early by forcing turnovers in the midfield and pressing defenders. As Wake FC settled into the game, they used the size of their forwards to create several nervy moments in the first half for the Otters backline of Henrik Guenther (ETSU), Jan Gruhn (Shorter), and Matthew Skinner (UNCG). However, the trio were able to make key clearances when needed and Mars Gohier (Florida Southern) made two big first half saves to keep the hosts off the board.
Offensively, the Otters relied on the creativity of their midfield and allowing Seglio to roam centrally and out wide to create chances for his fellow Otters. In the 23rd minute, Guillermo Segovia (Florida Tech) was able to get in behind the backline and cut the ball back to a wide open Seglio who calmly finished for the 1–0 lead.
The second half featured much of the same physical, back and forth affair. Early in the second half the Otters earned a dangerous free kick following a 65-yard run from Seglio who was yanked down from behind. The ensuing kick by Agu Ortiz (Anderson) forced a low save by the keeper but he was able to fall on the deflection before an Otter could get to it.
The Otters pushed to control more of the match but Wake FC were able to spring the counterattack on an Otters corner and work enough space to fire a shot past Gohier to level the score.
From then on, the Otters dominated possession as they kept searching for a game winner. Wilfred Williams (Chattanooga FC), Owen Zaldivar (Gardner-Webb), and Sam Catherall (Gardner-Webb) came off the bench to provide a boost in the attack. Guenther and Seglio continued to whip in crosses but neither Williams, Segovia, or Zaldivar were able to find the breakthrough as three different shots hit the post to deny the Otters a winner. Into stoppage time, Wake FC created a couple dangerous chances of their own, but interventions by both Gruhn and Gohier kept the home team from stealing all three points and ending in a 1–1 draw for both sides.
With the draw, the Otters stay unbeaten in three games and have eight points at the halfway mark of the season. The Otters will welcome Tobacco Road to Johnson City on Saturday, June 19th when they face off at 7 PM at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. You can get your tickets at ottersoccer.com or on the HappsNow app! The Otters annual youth camp also begins on Monday and there are still spots open in both the half day and full day camp! Register today under EVENTS on ottersoccer.com! #FearTheFur
