The Winthrop Eagles got a goal in the final seconds of the first overtime period to hand the High Point University women's soccer team a heartbreaking 2-1 loss on Wednesday night in Big South Conference action at Richard Vert Track & Soccer Stadium.
Erin Foote connected with Allison Stoltz on a corner kick with just three seconds remaining in overtime for the Winthrop "Golden Goal". High Point slips to 3-11-0 overall and 2-4-0 in Big South play after seeing its three game home win streak snapped. The Eagles moved to 9-4-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the league following the dramatic victory.
"This is just a difficult way to lose a game," said second-year HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "Tonight was the most complete game our team has played all season long and the girl's definitely deserved a better outcome."
High Point dominated play for much of the game keeping the ball in their offensive half for a majority of the action. The Panthers earned a 24-9 advantage in shot attempts including a 9-5 lead in shots on goal. HPU also held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks with Winthrop making their only attempt count.
After a scoreless first half, Winthrop got on the scoreboard first at the 53:55 mark as Foote finished a well-played pass by Ashley Hallmon to the right side of the box.
The Panthers answered with the equalizer less than four minutes later (57:57) when senior Traci Andersen fed a ball from the right side to freshman Laura Eldridge at the edge of the six-yard box. Eldridge settled the pass and blasted the ball into the back of the net to knot the score at one.
Neither team would score over the closing 20 minutes of regulation, and after an evenly played overtime period it appeared that a second extra session was coming until Winthrop capitalized on a final opportunity.
WU goalkeeper Dimitra Polous finished the night with seven saves in earning the win. High Point netminder Marisa Abbott tallied three saves in 100 minutes of action.
High Point concludes its current home stand on Sunday with a game at 2 p.m. against Francis Marion.
