Despite jumping out to an early lead, High Point dropped a 3-2 decision to Winthrop on Wednesday night at the Wnthrop University Soccer Complex.
The Panthers (1-6-2, 0-1) got onto the board first when Josh Windley broke free down the right side and served the ball into the box in the 38th minute. Chris Archer and Winthrop's Ben Kieffner each met the ball at the same time, but Archer slipped the rebound into the net for the 1-0 lead. Winthrop (8-1-1, 2-0) was quick to respond as they tied the game in the 43rd minute. David Kenga played a ball to Henry Kalungi at the top of the box and Kalungi's one touch pass put Isaac behind the defense. Isaac buried the ball into the right side of the net to tie the game just before the half.
The Eagles' Daniel Revivo made it 2-1 in the 63rd minute as he hammered home a Kenga corner kick. Less than two minutes later it was 3-1 Winthrop as Isaac netted his second of the game. Revivo was looking for Isaac over the top and his pass was slightly deflected, but Isaac didn't wait for the ball to come to his feet as he jumped up and hammered a full volley past High Point goalkeeper Adam Ross.
In the 67th minute the Panthers were awarded a free kick at the top of the 18-yard box on the left side. Archer, who scored the Panthers first goal, placed the free kick perfectly over the wall and into the top corner to make it 3-2.
"Archer was very persistent on the goal line on his first goal," High Point University head coach Peter Broadley said. "On the second one it was one of his classic free kicks to put us back in it. In the last 15 minutes we had some very good chances, but were just unable to convert."
Patrick Mitrovich made one save as he improved to 8-1-1 in the net. Ross made five saves for High Point.
"We played them very well and matched them very well," said Brodley. "We played a good disciplined defensive game with Ryan Puppolo, Daniel Walsh, Victor Harrison and Harry Wilkes in the back. We showed that when we play like that we can play with the best of them. What we need to do is play the same way against the teams who aren't as good. We have to bring it to every game."
High Point will host VMI on Saturday, Sept. 30. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Richard Vert Track and Soccer Stadium on the campus of High Point University.
