Senior defender Michael Earman headed home the game-winning goal for High Point with 2:32 remaining in the contest off a Matt Tuttle free kick to defeat Davidson 3-2. It was Earman's first career goal which was set-up after a Davidson foul.
The Panthers would keep on attacking as they tried to knot the game up. Senior Chris Shrum had a golden opportunity on a corner kick where he found open space on the serve but his header attempt went high of the net. Freshman Deon Cuffie-Joseph would come through for High Point when he scored his first collegiate goal with 3:53 left to tie the contest. He collected a free ball in the Davidson box and hit home the equalizer from 11-yards out. Earman provided the winning goal 1:21 later.
High Point got on the board first in the 27th minute when junior Hilaire Babou hit home his first goal of the season. Sophomore Eric Land crossed the ball in the box and a botched clear attempt allowed the ball to find Babou who calmly placed it in the back of the net. Land came through for HPU later in the contest as well with 13:42 left, he cleared a ball rolling across the box as a Wildcat was closing in which would have sealed the victory for them.
"Our team continues to show a lot of character as we always play to the last whistle", said head coach Dustin Fonder. "However, I don't think we played particularly well tonight, but we will take this win and continue to get better."
Freshman Michael Chesler made two important stops for the Panthers en route to picking up the win between the pipes. Chesler had a streak of 241:41 minutes without giving up a goal before Davidson put one on the board. Robby Goldsberry and Matt McElroy split time in goal, Goldsberry playing the first half while McElroy played the second. McElroy took the loss for the Wildcats.
HPU returns to the pitch when they host Appalachian State on Wednesday, September 17 at Vert Track and Soccer stadium.