Rombach’s Golden Goal Gives HPU WSOC 2-1 Win over Radford

• Senior Paige Rombach scored the game-winning goal for High Point in the 99th minute. It was her second goal of the season, both of which have been game-winners.
• Senior Becca Rolfe tallied her first goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute that tied the match. Rolfe tied a career high with six shots.
• HPU remained unbeaten in Big South play, holding a 2-0-1 record through three league matches. The Panthers host Charleston Southern on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Senior Paige Rombach chipped in the golden goal with less than two minutes remaining in the first overtime, sending the High Point University women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over visitng Radford on Saturday night at Vert Stadium.

“I thought the first half was very average in terms of our intensity and our effort,” head coach Marty Beall said. “We had a nice chat at halftime and the girls responded in a great manner. It was disappointing to give up a goal off a set piece, but I loved the way our team responded. The girls were absolutely fantastic, picked each other up and moved forward. I thought we created some great chances that I was proud of and it ultimately paid dividends.”

Rombach’s tally was the culmination of an extra period controlled by the Panthers (5-6-1, 2-0-1). HPU had all five shots after regulation, the last two of which came from Rombach. The senior midfielder started her attack by making a run through the center of the pitch. After her initial shot was blocked outside of the box, Rombach tracked down the ricochet to the right, recollected and chipped the ball towards the net. The shot perfectly arced over the Radford (8-3-0, 1-2-0) keeper and inside the left post for the winning goal.

Neither team was able to gain much momentum in the first half, with High Point holding a slim 4-2 edge in shots. After HPU recorded the first two shots of the second half, it was Radford that moved ahead in the 59th minute. Off a free kick, the Highlanders sent in a cross from the right side that Jada Ellis headed down to the 6′ yard box, where Jane Everett was able to finish.

Following the tally, HPU tilted the field in search of the tying marker. Senior Becca Rolfe had an incredible opportunity to tie the game in the 64th off a corner kick from Paige Lloyd, but her shot went right into the gut of Lexi Dean, the Radford keeper.

Rolfe was all over the pitch, tying a career-high with six shots in the match. The captain ultimately was able to break through via a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. Rofle was the target of a long cross, but was challenged hard by Dean, who was assessed a yellow card for the tough tackle. Rolfe ended up going left side past Dean on the PK to even the match.

HPU controlled the remainder of the match, ultimately winning the game in OT. The Panthers defense held Radford, the Big South’s highest-scoring offense, to just five shots in 99 minutes of action. The Purple & White finished the match with a 15-5 edge in shots. Senior Alex Hank made three stops for the Panthers in net to earn the win.

High Point, unbeaten through three conference games, looks to continue the trend on Wednesday against Charleston Southern. Kickoff from Vert Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. as the front end of a doubleheader with the men’s soccer team.