Site: High Point N.C. (Vert Stadium)
Score: High Point 1, UNCW 2
Records: High Point (0-2-1), UNCW(1-1)
HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team fell to UNCW in its home opener 2-1 in a hard-fought contest on Thursday night (Aug. 26). Skyler Prillaman scored HPU’s first goal of the season as she recorded the lone Panther goal of the contest. The Panthers will back be in Vert Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 PM as they look to bounce back against ECU.
Head Coach Brandi Fontaine: “This is a tough loss for us, this is a game that we felt like we could have had. Unfortunately, we did not take advantage of an opportunity that we had. I think the girls continued to fight, we tried to make some things happen. Huge credit to UNCW they played in a system that made it difficult and we just had a hard time adjusting to it and trying to solve the problems. We will get back to work tomorrow and get ready for ECU.”
Panther Particulars
Prillaman was on the attack early searching for the early advantage on behalf of the Panthers. Her first shot came just five minutes in, UNCW made the stop to keep the game tied at zero in the early going.
Her early aggressiveness paid off in the 13th minute as Prillaman gave the Panthers an early 1-0 lead. She was assisted by Fain Buete. It was Buete’s first official points recorded in a High Point uniform.
Five minutes late UNCW answered scoring in the 18th minute to tie it at one.
At the half, it was tied at one. HPU outshot the Seahawks in the first half 7-3 and earned four corner kicks while UNCW had two. High Point controlled possession in the first half as the Panthers controlled the ball for over 60 percent of the first 45 minutes.
In the 49th minute, UNCW opened up the first half with a goal as the Seahawks jumped in front 2-1.
In the 63rd minute, the Panther faithful inside Vert Stadium believed the equalizer had been found as Chloe Le Franc just missed the game-tying goal as her shot off of the free-kick collided off of the crossbar.
Morgan Hairston continues to look good in goal for HPU, Hairston recorded four saves on the night, through three games she already has recorded 14 saves. Hairston’s best save of the night came in the 69th minute as a diving effort from Hairston kept the Seahawk lead at one.
Despite several chances at the end of the game for HPU, the Purple & White were unable to connect on an equalizing goal.
HPU ended the night outshooting UNCW 12 to eight.
UP NEXT: HPU stays home inside Vert Stadium as it hosts ECU for a Sunday matinee on August 29th at 1:00 PM.