HPU Women’s Soccer Falls On The Road At Liberty, 2-0

LYNCHBURG. Va. – The High Point University women’s soccer team dropped a 2-0 road decision at Liberty in Big South action on Saturday night in Lynchburg, Va. Senior Taylor Parker led the Panthers with five shots on the night including two on goal.

“I think overall we had a solid game today. I was pleased with the players response in the second half. We created numerous chances in the second half and forced a few big saves. We still need to do a better job with our shot selection. If we can get better in front of the net we will have a lot of success at the end of the season.

High Point defended well in the first half but went into the halftime break down 1-0 after a goal on a shot from 30-yards out by Rebecca Smith in the 44th minute. Smith dispossessed the HPU midfield and took one touch before lofting a shot on goal. HPU keeper Jesse May got her hand on the shot and tried to push it over the crossbar but the hit the underside of the bar and fell into the net.

The Panthers pushed for an equalizer early in the second half, putting up five shot including three on frame in the first 20 minutes of the period. Parker took two shots for HPU while seniors Becca Hemby and Kelli Jolineand redshirt-freshman Kelsey Perrell each had one.

With HPU pressed forward looking to tie the game, Liberty found a second goal to go ahead 2-0 in the 70th minute. Crystal Elmers took a drop pass 25-yards away from goal and hit a long shot that hit off the top of the left post and caromed back into the net.

The Panthers outshot Liberty 8-5 in the second half with five shots on frame. HPU also had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. Liberty finished the game with a 13-9 edge in shots for the night.

May made six saves for HPU on the night while taking the loss in goal. Liberty keeper Holly Van Noord made five saves to record her ninth shutout of the season.

High Point next travels to Asheville, N.C., to take on UNC Asheville on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.