HPU Women’s Soccer Clinches Big South Title With 2-0 Win At Campbell

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team clinched its second Big South Regular Season Championship in three seasons with a 2-0 win over Campbell on Tuesday night in Buies Creek, N.C. The Panthers scored twice in the span of 72 seconds in the second half to clinch the title.

“I am very pleased with how we performed tonight,” head coach Marty Beall said. “Campbell is a good team that is well coached. I am proud of how we responded to the pressure they put on us. We bent but we did not break. I couldn’t be happier for the players after all the hard work they have put in this season.”

Junior Becca Hemby broke the game open in the 66th minute when she scored with a header off a corner kick to put HPU ahead, 1-0. Senior Danielle Schepler took the kick and hit an inswinger into the six-yard box. Hemby jumped above the defender marking her and redirected the ball back towards the near post for her team-high ninth goal of the season.

Just 72 seconds later the Panthers doubled their lead on a goal by senior Janay Whittaker. Sophomore Jacky Kessler slipped ball between two defenders to Whittaker at the top of the penalty area. Whittaker centered herself with a touch before firing a line drive into the net from 18-yards out. The score was her third of the season.

High Point continued to control possession late in the game holding the Camels at bay and not allowing the home squad to get itself back into the game.

High Point took 10 shots in the game including five on frame. Junior goalkeeper Jesse May made seven saves in the contest to pick up the shutout, High Point’s sixth in Big South play.

With the win, High Point finished conference play in sole possession of first place with an 8-1-2 record in Big South action. The regular-season title is HPU’s second in three seasons. The Panthers were part of a five-way tie for first in 2010. The eight conference wins also mark a new program high.

“It means a great deal for this team to win the Big South Championship,” Beall said. “We talk about winning championships at High Point University. It is fine to have that goal but what I like is that our players put in the work to make that goal a reality.”

High Point finishes the regular seasons with a 9-5-6 overall record. Campbell drops to 10-7-1 overall and will be the No. 7 seed in the Big South Tournament after finishing with a 5-6-0 record.

The Panthers will open the Big South tournament at home against No. 8 seed Charleston Southern on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. HPU picked up a 4-0 win over CSU during the regular season. Kessler led High Point in the game with two goals and two assists. High Point is 5-0-2 in seven games at Vert Stadium this season.