HPU Women’s Soccer Draws with Jacksonville, 0-0

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team played Jacksonville University to a 0-0 double overtime tie on Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida. Freshmen Jordan Beets and Alex Persiani combined to make 11 saves in 110 minutes of action for the Panthers.

“I am pleased with the way the team performed today,” head coach Marty Beall said. “I love the character and fight of these players. They are always trying to get batter. I thought we did a good job of improving on some things from Friday night and that is the mark of a good team.”

High Point outshot the Dolphins by a 26-20 margin in the game and a 9-7 margin in the overtime periods. Senior Jacky Kessler led HPU with four shots while junior Becca Lisson and sophomore Jenny Marshall each had three shots. The Panthers also finished the game with a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.

Beets started the game in goal and made five saves in the first half. Persiani took over for Beets at halftime and made six saves in the second half and two overtime periods.

The first half was an even affair with both teams developing dangerous chances. Lisson and freshman Paige Rombach each had shots saved in the opening 45 minutes while sophomore Kai-Lin Hernandez saw a shot hit off the post.

HPU ended regulation on the front foot, putting up four shots and earning two corner kicks in the final four minutes of action. Marshall nearly won the game for HPU in the 90th minute with a shot that hit the bottom of the crossbar.

The Panthers continued to push the action in extra time, forcing three saves in the two overtime periods. Both Marshall and freshman Becca Rolfe forced saves in the final two minutes of the second overtime period as the game ended in a scoreless draw.

High Point remains undefeated on the season, moving to 1-0-1 on the season. Jacksonville also moves to 1-0-1 with the draw.

With both games in Jacksonville behind them, the Panthers next return home to Vert Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, when they will host Western Carolina in their home opener. The game will kickoff at 2 p.m.