HPU Women’s Soccer Picks Up 2-0 Win Over UNCG

• High Point got goals from sophomores Michele Micciche and Meghan Beidleman to pick up a 2-0 win over UNCG at Vert on Sunday night.
• Sophomore Meredith Dunker assisted on both goals for the Panthers in the win.
• The victory over UNCG was the first-ever for HPU, which improves to 1-0-1 to start the season.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team earned its first-ever win over inter-Triad rival UNCG with a 2-0 victory on Sunday night at Vert Stadium. Sophomore Meredith Dunker assisted on both goals for the Panthers on the night.

“I was really proud of the work ethic the girls showed tonight,” head coach Marty Beall said. “I thought we dominated every aspect in the first half, but we need to work on continuing that into the second half of games. This is a great confidence builder for the team. Two-thirds of this team are freshmen and sophomores so for them to be able to reap the rewards of their hard work is great. That being said we have a long way to go and we will get back to work on Tuesday.”

High Point entered the night with a 0-5-0 record against the Spartans, but scored a goal in each half to pick up the 2-0 win. HPU improves to 1-0-1 in the season-opening weekend with the win while UNCG drops to 0-2-0.

The Panthers controlled possession through much of the first half and were rewarded in the 30th minute with a goal by sophomore Michele Micciche to take a 1-0 lead. Dunker delivered a cross from the left side and Micciche dove low to head the ball past the UNCG keeper for the lead.

HPU held the one-goal advantage until the 89th minute when sophomore Meghan Beidleman got on the score sheet with an insurance goal for the Purple & White. Dunker was once again the facilitator for HPU with a delivery into the box. The sophomore forward turned on a defender and hit a cross to the far post where Beidleman waited unmarked at the doorstep for the tap in.

Sophomore Alex Persiani made five saves to notch her second-consecutive clean sheet to start the season. The keeper was called on early, coming off her line to make a sprawling save just 10 seconds in after a ball over the top on the opening kick. The Panther defense settled down after that, limiting the Spartans to just four shots on goal from distance the rest of the way.

The Panthers outshot UNCG, 17-8, with three shots on goal compared to five for the Spartans. HPU also ended the game with a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks.

High Point travels to Maryland next weekend for a pair of games against Towson and Mount St. Mary’s. The Panthers will face Towson on Friday, Aug. 28, and Mount St. Mary’s on Sunday, Aug. 30.