HPU Women’s Soccer Drops First Game of the Season to No. 9 South Carolina, 2-0

• High Point suffered its first loss of the year, falling to 2-1-2.
• South Carolina scored both its goals in the first half.
• Freshman Alex Persiani made a career-high seven saves in the first half.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team fell to No. 9 South Carolina by a score of 2-0 on Sunday afternoon in Columbia, S.C. The loss was the first of the season for the Panthers.

“I was proud of this team and the way we competed today,” head coach Marty Beall said. “South Carolina showed why they are a top-10 team in the country. Trying to break them down was very difficult. Our possession was good but we couldn’t find the creativity needed in the final third. To give up just two goals, one on a turnover and another on a set piece, I am happy with that.”

High Point falls to 2-1-2 on the season with the loss. South Carolina improves to 5-1-0.

South Carolina scored twice in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. Raina Johnson scored the first goal of the contest in the 17th minute after being played in on goal by Savannah McCaskill and Chelsea Drennan scored on a header off a free kick by Andie Romness in the 40th minute.

Freshman Alex Persiani played the first half in goal for the Panthers and kept HPU in the game, making a career-high seven saves against the Gamecocks.

The Panther defense tightened in the second half and allowed South Carolina just five shots with none on frame while taking two of their own.

Sophomore Jenny Marshall had a shot blocked in the box and freshman Taylor Romano took a shot from distance that was stopped by the USC keeper though it appeared to be running wide.

South Carolina finished the game with a 19-3 advantage in shots and a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.

Sabrina D’Angelo made one save for the Gamecocks to earn the win in goal. Persiani took the loss despite a strong performance in the first half.

High Point continues its current road trip next weekend with a game against USC Upstate on Friday, Sept. 12, in Spartanburg, S.C. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m.