ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Redshirt-freshman Pat Shelton scored in the 109th minute to propel the High Point University men’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon in Asheville, N.C. The shutout win was the third clean sheet of the season for the Panthers.
“I am very pleased to leave here with three points today,” head coach Dustin Fonder said. “UNC Asheville made things very difficult for us today. The outcome could have very well come out in their favor. We feel fortunate to get the three points now we will get back to the training field and keep working to improve.”
With the score knotted at 0-0 and less than two minutes on the clock sophomore Adam Storm took a throw in and hit a cross into the Asheville box. Shelton came across the pass and flicked a header to the far post past the diving Bulldog keeper for the game winner.
The HPU defense made two big plays, one at the end of regulation and one in extra time, to preserve the scoreless tie. IN the 86th minute Asheville took a shot from the left side to the far post that looked to be heading in before it was saved off the post by sophomore Austin Yearwood. In the 97th minute, redshirt-sophomore Kody Palmer made a sprawling save when he pushed a header on a rebound off the post over the crossbar and out of danger.
High Point controlled possession throughout the game, outshooting Asheville 20-8 with seven shots on frame. Shelton and junior Mamadee Nyepon combined for 11 of HPU’s 20 shots.
Palmer picked up his third clean sheet of the season, making two saves in the win. Dan Jackson took the loss for the Bulldogs despite making six saves.
With the win, High Point improves to 4-6-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the Big South. UNC Asheville falls to 4-8-0 overall and 1-3-0 in the Big South.
The Panthers will next travel to Morgantown, W.Va., to play an out-of-conference match against West Virginia on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The game will kick off at 7 p.m.