• High Point University men's soccer worked to a 2-0 victory over Wofford College this Friday, as the visiting Panthers outshot their hosts by a lop-sided count of 13-7
• Siggi Benonysson tallied the first goal of HPU's season, the 12th of his career in the Purple & White
• Bana Ganidekam recorded the Panthers' second goal of the night, the sixth of his career
• Freshmen Alex Abril and Tony Pineda made their first career appearances in the Purple & White, alongside recent junior transfer Ilias Kosmidis
• With their victory in Spartanburg, the Panthers are now undefeated in their past four season openers and their past five road openers
• The High Point defense has produced six shutouts in its last eight games played, dating back to last year's Big South championship campaign

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Despite being a team renowned for their defensive prowess, the High Point University men's soccer team was on the early offensive this Friday, overpowering hosting Wofford College from start to finish of their season opener.

After 45 minutes, starting HPU goalkeeper Keegan Meyer had yet to have been challenged, with the Panthers leading in the shot attempt category 5-2. Despite High Point's competitive advantage in the opening half, the score remained at 0-0, however the visitors would begin to capitalize on their superior opportunities in the second half. 

After Siggi Benonysson's first shot of the night rang off the post, the opportunistic junior found the rebound moments later to pocket his first score of the year and second career game-winner.

"It's a great way to start the season, for the first 45minutes the game was certainly in the balance," said HPU Head Coach EJ O'Keeffe after Friday's win. "We made some adjustments and really started to control things in the second half."

Just 13 minutes after reentering the match, junior Bana Ganidekam provided his side some insurance with the second goal of the night, putting away his first of the year in the 85th minute, off the helper from Kosmidis.

Alongside starting keeper Keegan Meyer, 2017 All-Conference defenders Johnny Fenwick and Rashid Tetteh each played a full 90 minutes against the Terriers this Friday, as the High Point defense combined for their team's sixth shutout of the last eight contests, going back to 2017.

Five newcomers made appearances for Head Coach EJ O'Keeffe, with newcomer Ilias Kosmidis making his first start since transferring from UTRGV this offseason. The Panthers continue their unbeaten streak on opening night to four straight seasons, and haven't lost a road opener since 2013.

COMING UP NEXT
High Point gets back to work this approaching Monday against Davidson, looking to improve their unbeaten streak against the Wildcats to four straight contests.

#GoHPU