HPU men’s soccer falls to Longwood in the Big South Semifinals, 1-0

• High Point fell to sixth-seeded Longwood by a score of 1-0 in the Big South Semifinals on Wednesday.
• The Panthers finished with a 15-7 edge in shots but were unable to find a goal.
• HPU finishes the season with an 11-4-4 record, the team’s fourth double-digit win season in Div. I and its most wins since 2012.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men’s soccer team saw its season come to a close with a 1-0 loss to sixth-seeded Longwood in the Big South Semifinals on Wednesday night at Vert Stadium.

“This was a tough loss for the guys tonight,” head coach EJ O’Keeffe said. “We did a good job creating chances in the first half, but we needed to be more effective in the box and put some of those chances away. I have to credit John and his staff, they came in with a game plan and executed it well. They found a goal off our mistake then they were difficult in the way they tactically played tonight. Best of luck to the Lancers in the final.”

Despite High Point controlling possession throughout the first half, it was Longwood that got on the board in the opening period with a goal by Finnlay Wyatt in the 41st minute. The Panthers turned the ball over deep in their zone and Wyatt controlled it at the top of the 18 before turning and placing a shot in the bottom right corner for the lead.

HPU pressed for a goal in the second half, but could not breakdown an organized Longwood backline. The Panthers had just four shots after the break and were unable to put a shot on target. While the Purple and White finished the game with a 15-7 edge in shots and a 5-2 advantage in corners, the two teams both had three only shots on goal.

High Point finishes the 2016 season with an 11-4-4 record, the Panthers’ fourth double-digit win season in the program’s Div. I history. It is the most wins in a single season for HPU since the team won 12 games in 2012.