HPU Men’s Soccer Ties Northern Kentucky, 1-1

• High Point clinched a share of the Dayton Flyers Classic with 1-1 draw.
• Senior Mamadee Nyepon tied the game at 1-1 with his second goal of the weekend.
• HPU outshot the Norse 19-2 in the second half and overtime.

DAYTON, Ohio – The High Point University men’s soccer team played Northern Kentucky to a 1-1 draw to clinch a share of the Dayton Flyers Classic Championship on Sunday afternoon in Dayton, Ohio.

“I am disappointed we weren’t able to do enough to get a second goal,” head coach Dustin Fonder said. “We had more of the ball in dangerous areas but couldn’t break down Northern Kentucky’s defense. That being said, I am really pleased with the jump this team has made since last week. Now we just need to make a similar jump before our home tournament next weekend.”

Northern Kentucky scored the first goal of the game in the 12th minute with a free kick by Cian McDonald. The Norse earned a free kick just outside the box and McDonald bent his shot over the wall and into goal.

Senior Mamadee Nyepon tied the game at 1-1 in the 34th minute with his second goal in as many games. Freshman Ebe Kudolo started the play with a ball into the box to fellow freshman Avery Ryan who found Nyepon with his first touch. The forward then beat the keeper with a shot from eight-yards out.

High Point controlled the run of play in the second half and overtime but was unable to find a game winner. The Panthers outshot NKU 19-2 after halftime with seven shots on frame and another two off the woodwork.

Nyepon, junior Ben Burdon and sophomore Chris Ramsell all had four shots in the contest while Ryan and junior Austin Yearwood each finished with three.

Junior Kody Palmer made four saves on the day to earn the draw, improving to 1-1-1 in 2014. Northern Kentucky keeper AJ Fleak made nine stops in the game for the Norse.

The Panthers improve to 1-1-1 in 2014 while Northern Kentucky goes to 1-0-2.

High Point returns home next weekend to host the High Point Plaza Classic beginning on Friday, Sept. 12 at Vert Stadium. The team will welcome Incarnate Word, Western Illinois and fellow Big South program Radford for the weekend tournament. High Point will open up against Incarnate Word at 7 p.m.