The High Point University women's soccer team battled ACC foe North Carolina State toe-to-toe for 110 minutes earning a hard-fought 0-0 tie on Saturday afternoon at Vert Stadium on the HPU campus.
The Panthers (0-2-2) earned their second straight overtime draw holding the Wolfpack (2-2-0) scoreless for just the second time this season. The final result marked the first time in HPU head coach Michelle Rayner's three-year tenure that the High Point has earned a tie versus an ACC opponent.
"This was a good accomplishment for our team," said Rayner. "We did a tremendous job against a very talented ACC program today. I think our team showed a lot of heart playing their third consecutive overtime game and second double-overtime contest in the last three days. I was extremely proud of our work ethic and I thought we continued to improve in many aspects. This weekend was a good competitive challenge for us. We played well, but still have to find a way to finish our opportunities."
Both teams demonstrated solid, stingy defense and also benefited from some lucky bounces. The Wolfpack had three shots carom off the crossbar during the game while the Panthers saw two point-blank chances just sail wide of the post. HPU sophomore netminder Marisa Abbott picked up her first shutout of the season and third of her career after recording four saves while State goalkeeper Sydney Little earned her second consecutive shutout.
NCSU out-shot HPU 15-5 including a 9-1 advantage in the first half. The Pack also held a 5-1 lead in shots on goal and a slight 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
In Saturday's opening game of the HPU Invitational, Elon tallied a 2-1 overtime win over Campbell. The Phoenix' Brittany Hallberg found the back of the net in the closing five seconds of the first overtime session to break a 1-1 tie. Katina Boozer gave Elon the early lead with a goal in the first five minutes of play and the Camel's Amanda Murphy notched the equalizer midway through the opening frame.
High Point will enjoy a brief break from competition before returning to the pitch next weekend at the Marshall Invitational in Huntington, W.Va. The Panthers open tournament play versus host Marshall on Friday night before battling Samford on Sunday.
