BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Oskar Wang recorded a hat trick in a high-scoring affair, but for the second straight match, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs fell in overtime as the Furman Paladins earned the 5-4 victory in GWU's home opener.

"Oskar had a nice match offensively," said head coach Tony Setzer. "He managed to get some good looks and made the most of the opportunities he had. "After allowing some goals early, we held Furman scoreless for most of the second half, but struggled in the final minutes. that you score four goals you have to find a way to win. We have to work on finishing close games defensively."

Pedro Benito scored his first regular season goal to give the Runnin' Bulldogs the early lead with a goal in the 16^th minute, but it lasted only 1:39 as Furman's Cole McLagan netted the equalizer off a free kick that he sent into the upper 90.

Furman (1-1-1) would score again in the 23^rd minute when a foul in the box gave the Paladins a penalty kick. McLagan scored for the second time, giving the Paladins a 2-1 advantage.

Wang began his goal scoring in 32^nd minute. After taking a corner kick the minute prior, he was able to collect the ball by the near post when it took several bounces inside the 18. After gaining control, he scored his first goal of the year by sending the ball inside the near post and past Furman's Max Fisher to tie the match at two.

Just 63 seconds later, Furman reclaimed the lead when Miles Fenton took a free kick and found Luke Tandy who placed a shot just over the outstretched hand of Gardner-Webb's Daniel Husa.

The Paladins' lead lasted less than three minutes as Wang earned a penalty kick nine minutes before the half. Furman's third consecutive foul was a hand ball in the box, and Wang's second goal of the night made it a 3-3 contest, which it remained as the teams headed to the locker room after 45 minutes of play.

The two teams combined for 15 shots in the second half with Furman outshooting Gardner-Webb, 10-5. Husa was a busy in the net in the first 15 minutes as he made three of his eight saves in that span.

Gardner-Webb (0-3-0) earned four corner kicks compared to just two for the Paladins in the second, but were unable to get anything going off the attempts. A foul in the box by Furman gave Gardner-Webb an opportunity to score the game-winning goal in the 81^st minute.

Although Wang converted for his third goal of the night, the Paladins' Conor Sloan took a pass from teammate Emory May and scored with 2:26 remaining to net the equalizer.

Furman attempted two shots in the final minutes, including one on target with 12 seconds remaining, but the two teams were forced to play extra time.

With 1:35 to go in the first overtime period, Husa made an acrobatic save, diving to his right and punching the ball away to keep Furman from victory. It looked as if the two squads would play an additional 10 minutes, but with 17 seconds remaining, the Paladins' Brendan Weigley stole the ball from a Gardner-Webb defender and found Sloan who scored the game-winner to give Furman the 5-4 victory.

Furman outshot Gardner-Webb, 19-10, but the Runnin' Bulldogs held a 6-4 advantage in corners. Miles Fenton had a team-high four shots for the Paladins, while Wang went a perfect 3-for-3 for the 'Dogs.

Husa made eight saves in goal and took the loss. Furman's Max Fisher earned the win despite surrendering four goals and not making a save.

Gardner-Webb will be idle tomorrow before traveling to Wofford for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Sunday evening.