COLUMBIA, Ky. - The No. 14-ranked Lindsey Wilson men's soccer team defeated No. 21-ranked Union (Ky.) by a 2-1 margin on Saturday night in its home opener at Walter S. Reuling Stadium.

All three goals came in the second half of the contest with Lindsey Wilson (3-0-0) going up 2-0, only for the Bulldogs (2-2-1) to cut in the lead in half in the 81st minute and create a tense final nine minutes.

Both teams had three shots total in the first 45 minutes of play. All three shots on target in the first half came within the final minute. Mutaya Mwape saw his effort saved from just outside of the box, while the Bulldog duo of Justin Wilkinson and Donja Smith tested Blue Raider keeper William Diaz in the final seconds, but he turned away both efforts.

The opening goal of the contest came in the 49th minute as a result of a Blue Raider set piece.

Israel Reyna served a corner that floated across the box where Nicholas Marcano collected the loose ball. Marcano then served the ball back towards goal where, after a pair of Blue Raiders missed connecting with it, the ball deflected off a Bulldog defender attempting to clear the danger that went into the back of the net for the own goal and to give LWC a 1-0 lead.

Mwape increased the Blue Raider lead to 2-0 in the 80th minute. Stephane Dasse crossed a ball across the box where it landed at the feet of Mwape. Mwape then beat his defender towards the near post and fired into the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

The Bulldogs answered immediately with a goal in the 81st minute by George Doyle. Alex Smith sent in a cross intended for Doyle at the six-yard box that went over his head. Duarte Rebelo got the loose ball and cut it back in towards Doyle from the end line, who stretched to meet the ball with his left foot and beat the goalkeeper to cut the Lindsey Wilson lead to 2-1.

The final nine minutes were tense in a game that ended with 38 fouls, 27 by Union, six yellow cards and one red card, but the Blue Raiders held on for the 2-1 victory.

Lindsey Wilson had a slight 11-10 advantage on shots with the Bulldogs holding a six to four edge in shots on goal.

The Blue Raiders are back in action on Sept. 16 when they host Roosevelt (Ill.) at 2 p.m. CT at Walter S. Reuling Stadium.