Site: Asheville, N.C. (Greenwood Soccer Field)
Score: High Point, UNC Asheville
Records: High Point 8-7-2 (8-2), UNC Asheville 6-11-1 (5-5-0)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The High Point University women’s soccer team won 2-1 in thrilling fashion to UNC Asheville 2-1 on the road on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 26). HPU was scoreless for 85 minutes before exploding for two goals late to come back and win. Juliette Vidal scored off of a penalty kick then Emily Mashinski buried the game-winner with two minutes to play. The Panthers finish the regular season 8-7-2 (8-2), the Panthers clinched the two seed last Saturday, and will be hosting a Big South Semifinal game on Thursday, November 4th.
Brandi Fontaine: “It wasn’t our prettiest performance but we found a way to win and that’s what matters. We created a lot of chances but just couldn’t find the back of the net. Credit to Asheville for putting us on the back foot to start with. They have had a tremendous season.
I am glad we have some time to clean up some things before the semifinal game. The environment we experienced today is what you expect in the championship part of the season and that’s what today was. Proud of the fight we showed today as we will need that going into the tournament.”
Panther Particulars
It was a quick start for UNC Asheville as they took the lead in the fourth minute of the game, 1-0. From that point on the Panthers were on the hunt for the equalizer. HPU outshot the Bulldogs 20-11 and put three more shots on goal than UNC Asheville did with eight compared to the Bulldogs’ five.
One of the best High Point chances of the day came in the 30th minute as Magdalena Schwarz forced the Bulldog keeper to make a leaping save in order to keep HPU off the board.
Mazich sent in a header that was just high in the 40th minute as HPU was outshooting UNC Asheville 12-7 at that point.
In the second half, it was Schwarz again who almost found the equalizer for HPU in the 52nd minute as the Panthers had a great chance and her shot was just high.
Panther keeper Morgan Hairston made an outstanding, leaping save in the 59th minute to keep the Bulldog lead at only one.
In the 85th minute, Skyler Prillaman was fouled in the box and a penalty kick was awarded to the Panthers.
Vidal capitalized on the penalty kick opportunity and scored to tie the game at 1-1.
In the 89th minute, Salome Prat passed it quickly to Lindsey Dehaven who dribbled into the box and found Mashinski all alone and the freshman buried the shot to put her Panthers up 2-1.
High Point completed the comeback and won 2-1 finishing the regular season with a record of 8-7-2 (8-2).
Up Next
HPU returns to Vert Stadium as the Big South Tournament begins as HPU will host the semifinals on November 4th at 4:00 PM.