Wendy Williams scored two goals in a span of 51 seconds in the first half to give the Panthers a lead that they wouldn't relinquish in a 3-1 win over VMI Friday afternoon at Patchin Field.

The Panthers, who outshot VMI 23-2, evened their overall record at 7-7-0 and remain within striking distance of first place in Big South Conference play (3-2-0), while VMI (which will join the Big South in women's soccer in 2004) fell to 3-10-0.

Williams scored on a 10-yard blast just 6:56 into the game on a pass from Reine DeLaat to give HPU a 1-0 lead. That spread was doubled just 51 ticks later when Emily Lanham centered a pass to Williams, who knocked in her second goal.

The Keydets got on the board midway through the second half when Colleen Redmond scored on a penalty kick to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

High Point retaliated of with a penalty kick goal of its own when sophomore forward Jen Evans scored in the 84th minute to give HPU the 3-1 win.

VMI goalkeeper Haley Gross made nine saves, while HPU keeper Courtney Noel made one save in her first action of the season. Katie Myers started the game, played the first half and did not face a shot.

The Panthers continue their road trip with a huge game Sunday (1:00 pm) at Coastal Carolina (9-8-1, 3-2-0). HPU (nine points) trails Winthrop (3-2-1, 10 points) and UNC Asheville (3-1-1, 10 points) by just one point for first in the Big South (win=3 points, tie=1 point).