Rashid Alarape scored the game-winning goal in overtime to cap off the upset for Georgia State.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Georgia State men’s soccer team defeated its highest-ranked opponent in program history following a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 2 Wake Forest on Tuesday night. Senior Rashid Alarape scored the game-winner for the team, his first of the season.
With the win, the Panthers improved to 3-1 and the Demon Deacons fell to 3-1.
AND YOUR PANTHERS PULL OFF THE UPSET!!! @YBsheed puts it away for GSU in overtime and the team gets its biggest win in program history! pic.twitter.com/lEiRHICcLR
— GSU Men's Soccer (@GSUMensSoccer) September 6, 2017
The Panthers started the match off with four shots, three of which were on goal, but the Wake Forest defense kept GSU off the board. Senior Yannic Horn posted five saves to keep the score at 0-0 going into the locker room.
Coming out of the half, junior Hannes Burmeister put Georgia State up 1-0 in the 60th minute on a penalty kick. The Demon Deacons were able to answer quickly, scoring off a penalty kick at the 65-minute mark.
Neither team was able to pull ahead following the pair of goals, and the match went into overtime. Alarape was able to find the back of the net in under two minutes, scoring the game-winner during in the 91st minute.
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Alarape and Burmeister led the team’s eight shots with two each, while Horn posted nine saves for a total of 13 saves this season.
“I’m very proud of our team tonight,” head coach Brett Surrency said. “It was a gritty and hard fought win against a great Wake Forest team. This is a special group on and off the field, and I feel honored to be a part of it. We will enjoy this win tonight but quickly shift out attention to Lipscomb and prepare our attention to another tough opponent.”
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The win tied for the highest-ranked opponent ever defeated in GSU history as softball defeated No. 2 Alabama in 2012. This marks the fifth win over a ranked opponent for men's soccer. The previous best was a 2-1 win over No. 6 Clemson in 2001.
The Panthers will return to the field on Saturday at Lipscomb, facing the Bisons in Nashville, Tenn. at 8 p.m. Live stats will be available at GeorgiaStateSports.com.
