The High Point University women's soccer team scored a hat-trick of goals in the opening half of play en route to a 3-0 shut out victory over Chattanooga on Friday night in front of 922 fans at Vert Stadium.

The Panthers (2-3-2) used a pressing style to dominate possession and earn a 17-2 advantage in shot attempts against the Lady Mocs (0-4-1). The victory was HPU's second shutout of the season and first home win following a pair of ties.

Sophomore Laura Eldridge got High Point on the board in the 10th minute (9:17) of play, finding the back of the net after taking a pass at the top of the six-yard box for her team-leading third tally of the year. Senior Jen Evans set the scoring opportunity in motion with a deft back heel pass to a streaking junior Leslie Long, who slotted a pass across the front of the goal box to Eldridge.

HPU added a second score in the 16th minute (15:36) when Courtney Spotts' high cross from the right side was tracked down by senior Beckie Lesh who beat the UTC goalkeeper with a low driving shot. The Panthers tallied their third score of the frame in the 35th minute (34:31) on junior Renee Hitchcock's first career goal. Hitchcock finished a cross chipped to the back post by freshman Sara Rager from the right endline.

High Point sophomore goalkeeper Marisa Abbott picked up her first win of the season after securing her second shutout behind a pair of saves.

"This was a good all around effort for our team," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "I thought we did a good job of jumping in front of them early and then keeping them down. The early advantage gave a lot of our players an opportunity to gain some valuable playing time. It is a great win for us at home."

The Panthers will conclude their weekend home stand on Sunday at 2 p.m., with a match against Georgia Southern.