Women’s Soccer: HPU Tops Charleston Southern, 1-0, in Overtime

• Senior Bri Jean-Charles netted the game’s golden goal in the 96th minute off a feed from sophomore Alex Denny, her second game-winning goal of the season.
• The Panthers played in their third straight overtime match in conference play, staying unbeaten against Big South competition at 3-0-1.
• HPU outshot Charleston Southern 15-6, allowing only shot from the Buccaneers after halftime.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Senior Bri Jean-Charles finished a shot from the top of the box in the 96th minute, lifting the High Point University women’s soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory over Charleston Southern on Wednesday evening at Vert Stadium.

“Tonight was basically a repeat of Saturday’s performance,” head coach Marty Beall said. “Our first half was pretty average. Charleston Southern is a team that battles hard and was really physical today. We created some great chances in the second half that unfortunately we weren’t clinical enough to finish. Thankfully we got the result with a great goal in overtime that allows us to walk away with three points.”

Jean-Charles found the back of the net following a brilliant passing sequence from HPU (6-6-1, 3-0-1). Sophomore Alex Denny began the run with a give-and-go with sophomore Ashlyn Kearney left of the box. Denny pivoted after the reception, sliding a pass past senior Becca Rolfe and right to the waiting foot of Jean-Charles at the top of the 18′. The forward blasted the shot lower right side for the game-winner.

The tally was the second of the season for Jean-Charles, both of which have been game winners. Denny was credited with her first assist of the year. The match was the third straight overtime contest for the Panthers, who have now won their last two games in the first OT.

High Point had a majority of the possession in the first half, but went into the locker room trailing in shots 5-3. The Panthers strong defense allowed just one Charleston Southern (4-6-2, 2-1-1) shot the rest of the night. Senior Alex Hank pitched her fourth individual shutout of the season, making two stops.

HPU ratcheted up the pressure in the second half, posting 10 shots and six corner kicks in the second half alone. The Panthers had a great opportunity to move ahead in the 57th minute off a corner kick from senior Paige Lloyd. Senior Paige Rombach slid a shot off the post and redshirt-senior Taylor Thompson had her follow-up opportunity blocked and then sent another try high.

High Point earned three corner kicks in rapid succession in the 87th minute, but were unable to find the go-ahead tally. The game proceeded to overtime, where Jean-Charles nearly finished the match in the 93rd minute. However, the senior sent a point blank try right to the gut of the CSU keeper, keeping the game scoreless. Three minutes later, Jean-Charles was able to finish, giving HPU the triumph.

The Purple & White finished the match with a decided 15-6 edge in shots and 4-2 advantage in shots on goal. High Point was awarded a season-high 11 corner kicks, five more than the previous season best.

Unbeaten in four straight matches, HPU will aim to continue the run on Saturday at UNC Asheville. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed on the Big South Network.