A strong second half performance gave the High Point University women's soccer team a chance, but a final Panther surge came up just short in hard-fought 2-1 loss at Liberty on Wednesday afternoon.
The Panthers (1-9-0, 1-2 Big South) nearly overcame a two-goal deficit in a flurry of second half action against the Flames (4-6-0, 2-1 Big South). For the game, HPU outshot LU 17-13.
"This seems to just be the way our season has gone," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "It hurts me to see the girls play so hard and then not get the positive result that they deserve. It seem like we just can't catch a break. However, all we can do is keep working hard and believe that eventually good things will happen for us."
The two squads each had early opportunities to get on the board but both defenses and goalkeepers stepped up to make plays. Liberty finally struck in the 34th minute (33:43) of play when Amy Oberlin collected a cross from Hannah Sullivan that Ashley Braam headed down inside the six-yard box setting up Oberlin for the score.
Just over three minutes later (37:00), Heather Bowling slipped a ball through the HPU backline finding Kendall Bartholomew who beat Panther keeper Marisa Abbott on the leftside to give Liberty a 2-0 advantage at halftime.
HPU turned up the pressure in the second half using an aggressive offensive attack that resulted in an 11-2 shot advantage in the period. High Point also earned an edge in shots on goal (4-0) and corner kicks (2-1) during the half.
The Panther's assertiveness eventually paid off when Kelly Farrell stole the ball near midfield and served a ball into the box for a one-time shot and score by Traci Andersen at the 76:24 mark. The goal was the second of the season for Andersen.
Andersen just missed on an equalizer in the final minute when her chip over the keepers head clipped the crossbar and fell in front of the goal where a Liberty defender cleared it out the box to save the win.
Abbott finished with four saves for the Panthers while Liberty goalie Katherine Neff earned the victory recording five saves in the contest. Andersen tallied a season-high six shot attempts to pace the HPU offense.
The Panthers return home for their next action hosting Big South Conference foe Charleston Southern on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Richard Vert Track & Soccer Stadium.
