Site: Asheville, NC
Score: High Point 0, UNC Asheville 0
Records: High Point 7-6-3 (5-0-3), UNC Asheville 1-14-1 (0-8-0)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The High Point University men’s soccer team picked up its seventh win and seventh shutout of the season as Alex Abril’s late second-half goal pushed HPU past UNC Asheville. The Panthers have shut out Big South opponents on seven separate occasions this year. It was the fifth straight conference shutout for HPU. High Point only allowed one goal in conference play which is the fewest goals allowed in Big South play in conference history and the lowest conference goals-against average in Big South history.
Zach Haines: “The best part of the game tonight is another clean sheet. Giving up just one goal in conference play this season is a big-time achievement for the guys and it allowed us to gain some momentum heading into the tournament. We are excited to host the semifinal next Wednesday and look forward to getting a big crowd there to help us through.”
High Point improves to 20-1-3 in Big South play under the direction of Coach Haines.
Panther Particulars
In the 15th minute, HPU cleared out a chance for UNC Asheville as Nick Phipps and MD Myers moved the ball up and out of the box that was sent in as a cross from the corner.
Myers got his head to one in the 17th minute that tested the Bulldog keeper as Myer’s shot was saved.
In the 43rd minute, Myers tried to feed the ball back to David Greene in the box who had just passed it over to Myers but the Bulldogs broke it up. Greene tried to get to it but was stopped it was a promising opportunity for HPU late in the first half.
It was 0-0 after 45′ in Asheville.
The Panthers cranked up the intensity in the second half as in the 59th minute, Mason Marcey shot a hardball that curled in towards the goal but was saved.
In the 66th minute, Cooper Lindfelt nearly put his Panthers up 1-0 as his shot was punched away.
In the 81st minute, HPU found the lead-taking goal they were searching for all game. Sebastian Chalbaud assisted Alex Abril who supplied his fourth goal of the season in the final ten minutes of regulation.
High Point is 27-0 when scoring first with Haines as head coach.
The Panthers went on to win 1-0 over UNC Asheville.
HPU outshot UNC Asheville 18-11 and outshot the Bulldogs in shots on goal with nine on Wednesday night (Nov. 3rd). HPU’s conference road win keeps the streak alive, it’s been1,868 days since HPU’s last regular-season conference loss back in 2016.
HPU ends the conference regular slate as one of only two teams to complete Big South play unbeaten.
Up Next: The #2 Seed Panthers will the Big South Semifinals on Wednesday, November 10th.