• Senior Becca Rolfe netted the game-winning goal for High Point with 10 seconds remaining in the first overtime to knock off Gardner-Webb, 1-0
• Three of HPU’s four conference triumphs have coma via a golden goal in the first overtime (Radford, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb)
• The victory tied the senior class for the most victories by a four-year class in High Point’s Div. I era (44). HPU can break the mark on Senior Day Saturday.
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – On a night that moved the High Point University women’s soccer team into a tie for the most wins by a four-year class in Div. I school history, it was senior Becca Rolfe’s goal that led the Panthers to a 1-0 overtime triumph over Gardner-Webb Wednesday night.
“I’m very proud of how we played tonight and for the chances we created,” head coach Marty Beall said. “These are three valuable points on the road at a difficult place to play.”
Rolfe’s marker came as the clocked ticked down in the game’s first overtime. Senior Taylor Romano set up for a free kick to the left of the penalty area following a foul on the Runnin’ Bulldogs (3-10-1, 1-3-1). With nearly every player in the box, it was Rolfe who won the battle with a header above traffic, sending the ball to the far side for the game-winning tally. It was Rolfe’s second goal of the campaign, tying her with three other seniors for the team lead.
The senior class won its 44th game, matching last year’s class for the most wins by a four-year unit in High Point’s Div. I history. Twenty-four of the victories have come against Big South opponents. It also marked the third overtime golden goal for HPU in conference competition, joining senior Paige Rombach against Radford and senior Bri-Jean Charles vs. Charleston Southern.
High Point (7-7-1, 4-1-1) dominated the match with a season-best 22 shots, the most since Oct. 30, 2016 against Charleston Southern. Senior Michele Micciche led the charge with four of HPU’s first five shots in the opening 22 minutes. Micciche tied her career high with a team-leading six shots.
The Panthers roared out of the gates in the second half with five shot attempts in the first 12 minutes following halftime. HPU kept the pressure on through a majority of the half, notching 20 shots in regulation.
In overtime, though, it was senior goalkeeper Alex Hank that came up large. Gardner-Webb earned a free kick from a dangerous position outside of the box in the 93rd minute. The set piece was sent to Stina Kleppe, who was robbed by Hank on a diving stop to her left. Four minutes later, the ‘Dogs earned a similar opportunity and Kleppe was nullified again, this time sending it into a five-person HPU wall.
High Point finished the match with a 22-10 advantage in shots, but only edged Gardner-Webb 8-6 in shots on net. Hank made six stops on the night, three of which came in extra time.
Up next for HPU is a Senior Day matinee on Saturday at 4 p.m. against WInthrop. The 15-member senior class will be honored with a ceremony prior to game, scheduled to begin at approximately 3:40 p.m. The festivities and the match are scheduled to be streamed on the Big South Network.