Freshman forward Sara Rager came off the bench to finish with a goal and an assist in High Point's 4-2 victory over Wofford in women's soccer action Sunday afternoon at the Terrier's Snyder Field.
The Panthers (4-3-2) earned their third consecutive victory behind solid defense and a season-high goal output. HPU extended their season-long streak of not allowing a first half goal as both of Wofford's (4-5-1) scores came after intermission.
"I'm very proud of the effort put forth by our team today," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "This was a valuable road victory against a strong opponent. For us to play strong for 90 minutes speaks volumes about our team this year."
Rager put the Panthers on the board first and assisted on the final score. She began the scoring in the 39th minute (38:12) when she put her head on the ball on a Karolina Straby corner kick to earn her first collegiate goal. Her other point came in the 79th minute (78:31) as she volleyed the ball to sophomore Janine Lind past a Wofford defender while standing directly in front of the goal.
Other High Point scores came at 48:21 when Megan Fielden sent a free kick from 45 yards out through the hands of Terrier goalkeeper Katie McChesney and at 58:47 when Beckie Lesh redirected a pass via Jen Evans inside the six-yard box.
Natalie Ferrara netted the Terriers' first goal of the game at 69:51, snapping a 400-minute scoreless streak by HPU opponents. Monica Ploetzke served a free kick directly to Panther goalie Marisa Abbott, which was saved but not controlled, and Ferrara put in the rebound for the score.
Ploetzke was also a factor in the hosts' other tally, as she fed Whitney Steelman, who then found a streaking Aubrey Thomson down the left flank. Thomson beat the defense and lifted her shot over Abbott's outstretched hands for the goal at 73:36.
High Point outshot Wofford 16-6 and held a 10-1 advantage in corner kick attempts. Lesh and Evans both attempted three shots to lead the Panther attack. Abbott finished with a pair of saves in picking up her third win between the pipes for HPU.
The Panthers continue their current five-game road swing this weekend as the squad's takes the Big South "Beach Trip" with games at Charleston Southern (Oct. 6) and Coastal Carolina (Oct. 8) to open up conference play.
