HPU Women’s Soccer Pulls Out Late 2-1 Win at Appalachian State

BOONE, N.C. – Senior Jenny Butler propelled the High Point University women’s soccer team to its first win of the season with a goal in the 87th minute as the Panthers picked up a 2-1 win over Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., on Friday night. With the win HPU improves to 1-1-3 on the season.

“I am very happy that the team was able to pick up its first win of the season here tonight,” head coach Marty Beall said. ‘” The girls worked very hard all game and the result was well deserved against a solid Appalachian State team. This will serve as a great confidence booster for the team and help them believe that they can win games late. With that being said we still have to work on eliminating soft goals.”

With the game tied, 1-1, in the closing minutes the Panthers surged ahead looking to find a game winner. Sophomore Jacky Kessler made a run towards the box with the ball before laying it off to Butler with an angled back pass. The senior midfielder took one touch to set up her shot before rifling the ball into the top left corner from 30-yards out.

The game was tightly contested throughout the first half but neither team was able to find a score in the opening 45 minutes. The Panthers did well to control a majority of the possession but were denied a score as ASU’s defense limited chances in the final third.

High Point was forced to weather a strong push by the Mountaineers in the second half before taking the first lead of the game in the 72nd minute when ASU’s keeper mishandled a corner kick into the net for an own goal. Junior Brooke Lisson hit the corner to the near post where Kessler challenged the keeper leading to the error.

The Panthers led for 10 minutes until Appalachian State responded with a goal of its own off a corner kick to tie the game at 1-1 with just eight minutes remaining. Meggie Graham hit the kick to the near post where it was deflected in off a shot by Merlin Beckwith.

High Point finished the game with a slim 12-10 edge in shots. The Panthers put five shots on goal in the game while limiting Appalachian State to just two.

Junior Jesse May picked up the win for the Panthers while Amy Kolowsky took the loss for ASU which falls to 1-3-0 on the season.

High Point returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 6, when the Panthers head to Greenville, N.C., to face the Pirates of East Carolina. HPU is 0-3-1 in four meetings with East Carolina.