HPU WSOC Panthers Clipped by UNC Asheville, 1-0

• High Point saw its four-game unbeaten streak come to an end on Saturday afternoon at UNC Asheville in a 1-0 setback
• Senior goalkeeper Alex Hank made four saves in defeat for the Panthers
• HPU returns to action on Wednesday night when it travels to take on Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team suffered its first defeat of Big South play, falling 1-0 at UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Soccer Field.

“Simply put, we weren’t good enough in front of goal today,” head coach Marty Beall said. “We gave up a goal on a counterattack, which is disappointing, but overall I thought our team defending was good enough. Our finishing, though, was horrible. Opportunities were there, but when you don’t put shots on frame, you have zero shot at scoring goals.”

Asheville controlled the beginning of the match, forcing a couple High Point turnovers in the midfield. One of the turnovers proved costly as Asheville’s Courtney Naber slid a through ball down the middle of the field to Caroline Houser. The Bulldog attacker found open space and ultimately went low right side past senior goalkeeper Alex Hank to give Asheville a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

High Point’s defense would settle down after the start and hold Asheville without a shot attempt the rest of the first half. The Panthers offense began to seize momentum late in the half, firing four shots in the final 10 minutes.

The Bulldogs came out with a renewed offensive approach in the second half, firing off four shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half, three of which were saved by Hank.

From there on, though, High Point controlled the possession and tilted the field. Despite the decided advantage, the Panthers were unable to put shots on goal. HPU got six shots off in the second half, but only was saved by the Asheville keeper.

In the 88th minute, the Purple & White appeared to have tied the match off a corner kick. The would-be goal, though, was waved off due to a foul in the box on the Panthers.

Overall, High Point led Asheville 10-7 in shots. However, five of the Bulldogs’ seven shots were on target compared to just one of the Panthers’ 10. Hank made four saves in net for HPU.

High Point remains on the road for its next conference match, Wednesday at Gardner-Webb. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.