Senior Chris Shrum headed home the game-winning goal with 56 seconds left in overtime to defeat ACC member NC State 2-1.  Sophomore Scott Rojo picked up the assist on the goal.

"I am very pleased with the result," said head coach Dustin Fonder.  "I am more pleased that it came after two great days of preparation where we preached hard work and it translated onto the field."

In a very well played match, the Panthers jumped out on top with an early second half goal in the 53rd minute.  Junior Matt Tuttle started the play beating his defender on the left sideline and serving a ball to the far left post which found the head of Shrum.  He headed it back across to junior Hilaire Babou at the top of the six who put it in the back of the net to give HPU a 1-0 lead. 

The Wolfpack responded five minutes later with the equalizer coming off a corner kick.  Alan Sanchez took the kick and found Chrystel Bakong on the back post who headed it in.  From there on out, the High Point defense would clamp down not allowing a goal in the final 41:37 of the game.

High Point had a number of chances to end the game in regulation.  With less than 23 minutes left, freshman Will Stewart fired a shot that had NC State goalie Christopher Widman diving to make the save.  Another golden opportunity came with 18:40 left in the contest when redshirt freshman Michael Stephenson's shot went just wide of the goal.

Freshman goalie Michael Chesler had a tremendous game between the pipes making six saves, two in each frame.  With 30 seconds left in the first half, he made a spectacular diving save which saved a goal.  The save continued the Panthers streak of five consecutive games without allowing a first half goal.  Chesler came up big again with under six minutes left in the contest stopping Ronnie Bouemboue on a breakaway.

Widman had a great save for the Pack with 4:55 remaining on a Tuttle one-time volley.  It was the last shot that HPU would have before the game-winner by Shrum in the overtime frame.

Chesler picked up the win in net for the Panthers playing the entire match.  Widman made four saves for the Wolfpack while also playing the full game.

"This was a total team effort and I'm proud for everyone giving it their all," said Fonder.  "This was a great performance by our team as we head into the conference portion of our schedule.  With Gardner-Webb at 2-0 in the league, Saturday's contest is a big one."

The win improves the Panthers to 4-3-1 on the season.  Next up on the slate is new Big South member Gardner-Webb to be played at Vert Track and Soccer Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.