MARION, Ind. -- A standing room only crowd was treated to the biggest win in Wildcat Field history as the Indiana Wesleyan University men’s soccer team upset top-ranked and defending NAIA national champion Belhaven (Miss.) 1-0 on Friday night.

The victory over the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA is the second in Indiana Wesleyan history. The first came in 2008 when Indiana Wesleyan stunned Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) 6-2 in Mobile, Alabama.

“This is just huge for our program,” said Wildcat captain Geoff Bowman. “To beat the No. 1 team is just a huge feat for everybody on this team.”

The game-winning goal came when the contest was less than 100 seconds old. Junior Sam Kane was able to position himself to get Belhaven keeper Carl Blundell one-on-one and beat him for the score in the second minute.

“I’m not really sure how it happened,” said Kane. “The ball got cleared over and the defender stepped up too far and the ball just bounced behind him. I ran in and got a one-on-one.”

The jam packed crowd was already at a fever pitch before the goal but hit another level after the early 1-0 lead.

“It was awesome to see all the fans come out for our first home game,” said Bowman. “It was just packed and it really brought the intensity to us. We fed off it right away and scored two minutes in on Sam’s goal. We kept the momentum going from there and we didn’t back down from them.”

Belhaven outshot Indiana Wesleyan 5-3 in the first half but IWU was the only side to get a shot on goal. Zach Hammon started in goal for Indiana Wesleyan and would be credited with the victory despite not facing a shot. Josh Goepper was called into action for the second half and he would preserve the shutout.

The Blazers once again held a slim lead in shots during the final 45 minutes by an 8-7 margin. This half the Blazers would produce many more opportunities with six shots on target. But Goepper made multiple great saves and had six in all to keep the shutout victory.

“It was kind of frustrating,” Kane said about playing the top team in the country. “They are very good at holding the ball but we played very solid defense on them. We got our opportunity and finished it.”

Indiana Wesleyan head coach Mark Castro knew his team had a chance to do something special since scheduling the game last year. Having a quality side to play in the team’s first home match of 2013 was an opportunity to showcase Indiana Wesleyan men’s soccer.

“We’ve been looking forward to this game for a very long time,” said Castro. “To be able to have the fans come out and support the team was awesome. With it being the very first home game of the year it really sets the tone for us and shows what our team is all about.”

The Wildcat players were also excited about the opportunity to not just play the No. 1 team but to do so in front of such a large crowd of supporters.

“It was amazing,” Kane said about the massive crowd. “I’ve never played in front of so many people. It helps because when you are tired you look up and see people cheering and it’s just easier to get more energy and keep going.”

Wildcat fans will have another opportunity this weekend to catch Indiana Wesleyan in action as the Wildcats host Davenport (Mich.) at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Belhaven will battle No. 9-ranked Rio Grande (Ohio) in the first match on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. That match is the Tourbeau Sports' National Game of the Week.