High Point exploded for three first-half goals and added a two more for an impressive 5-0 victory over No. 3-seed Coastal Carolina in the first round of the 2002 Big South Women's Soccer Championship Thursday night in Charleston.

The Panthers, who entered the tournament as the sixth seed, are now just two wins away from the NCAA Tournament and face No. 2-seeded Radford Friday night at 7:30 pm.

It took HPU (4-9-4) less than six minutes to open the scoring. Junior Emily Lanham, a second-team All-Big South selection, got the Panthers on the board when she rebounded her own blocked shot and pushed it home in the 6th minute.

The Panthers would add another goal in the 15th minute when sophomore Carolyn Bader beat All-Big South goalkeeper Candice Doten for a 2-0 HPU advantage. Jen Evans was credited with the assist. High Point made it 3-0 minutes later when Bader fed freshman Wendy Williams, who arced a drop shot over Doten's head in the 20th minute.

High Point didn't let up in the second half. Goals were scored by senior Beth Mork (80th minute, unassisted) and Evans (86th minute, from Kerry Muscolina) and the rout was on.

Sophomore Katie Smith made six saves in goal for High Point.

In the first semifinal Friday night, top-seeded Liberty faces UNC Asheville, which advanced past Elon on penalty-kicks earlier Thursday.