High Point got two quick first-half goals from Chris Archer, but Winthrop rallied from a 2-1 deficit for three answers and downed the Panthers, 4-2, Wednesday night in Big South men's soccer action in Rock Hill, S.C.

The Panthers drop to 4-5-0 (0-2-0 in Big South play), while Winthrop improves to 3-6-0 (1-0-0) and snaps a five-game winless streak.

Matt Long made six saves in goal for the Panthers, who lost a road game for the first time this season (3-1-0).

Winthrop opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the match when Dee Vydra got past two defenders and then beat Long near post for the game's first score. 

High Point got an immediate equalizer a mere 63 seconds later when Patrick Althoff's header was saved by Winthrop keeper Steve Winton, but no defenders were near to clear the ball and Archer put the ball into the empty net.

Archer scored his second goal of the match (and his team-leading sixth of the season) in the 11th minute to give HPU a 2-1 lead by beating Winton near post off a cross from Josh Windley. Archer paced the Panthers with nine shots. HPU out-shot the host Eagles by a 18-17 count.

The Panthers held the lead until the 36th minute, when Winthrop's Oliver Denal took a through ball from Michael Chumah that set him up on the left side, and he blasted it to the far post for the goal.

Chumah's goal in the 55th minute proved to be the game-winner. David Garry's through ball behind the High Point defense set Chumah up as he chipped the ball over Long to give the Eagles a slim 3-2 advantage.

Kevin Keegan added an insurance goal for Winthrop in the 80th minute.

"I'm afraid our defense really let us down tonight," HPU head coach Peter Broadley said. "Our forward line played well for us and kept us in the game, but we really have to improve on the back line and in the middle of the field. We kind of fell apart and allowed them to get back in it.

"Winthrop is a good team that is always very tough at home, but we can't be giving up silly goals at key points in the game. We scored two goals tonight, which is often good enough to win a game."

Wednesday's contest marked the first time this season that the Panthers failed to pick up a win despite scoring two or more goals.

The Panthers return home to face VMI Saturday afternoon at Albion Millis Stadium. Kickoff on Homecoming Day 2004 is set for 4:00 pm.