High Point University freshman forward Sara Rager sparked the Panthers to a second half come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Big South rival Winthrop on Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale for both squads.
With the win, HPU finishes the regular season at 9-7-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big South and earns at least a share of second-place in the final league standings. The five Conference wins also match the program's record for league victories established in 2005. Winthrop ends the year at 6-7-4 and 4-3.
Rager, a native of Silver Springs, Md., scored the Panthers equalizing goal and then assisted on the game-winning score later in the second half.
Winthrop took the early lead scoring their lone goal in the 38th minute of play (37:13). Chelsea White carried the ball into the HPU box after taking a long pass from Stevie Lucas and shot the ball into the side of the net for the goal. It marked just the third time this season that HPU had allowed an opening period score by their opponent.
The Eagles took the 1-0 lead into the halftime break after holding a slight 6-5 edge in shot attempts during the first 45 minutes of play.
High Point got things going quickly in the second half as Rager tallied the game-tying score just over five minutes into play. In the 51st minute (50:25), Rager collected a loose ball in front of the Winthrop goal and slotted it past WU goalkeeper Dimitra Poulos, the reigning Big South Player of the Year, for her third goal of the season.
Just under 10 minutes later (60:11), Rager carried a ball to the end line and then crossed the ball into the box finding a streaking Amy Anzovino, who finished the scoring run to put HPU in front 2-1. The helper was Rager's team-leading fifth assist this year while the goal marked Anzovino's third of the season.
The Panther's defense made the margin stand up as sophomore Marisa Abbott finished with a career-best tying six saves. Poulos tallied four saves in the loss for Winthrop.
"I could not be any prouder of this group of players," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "To go on the road and get a huge victory in the regular season finale after all the difficult times they've had over the last few weeks is a great reflection on the type of players they are. We might be limited in numbers but they showed a lot of heart and proved that they are a very special group."
HPU has seen multiple players suffer season-ending injuries this season including several players going down in the last few games.
High Point next heads to the Big South Conference Championship Tournament beginning on Thursday (Nov. 8) in North Charleston, S.C. The Panthers opponent will be determined on Sunday following the completion of the Big South schedule of games.
