The High Point University women's soccer used a pair of second half goals to break open a tightly contested game and earn a 3-1 victory over Liberty on Wednesday afternoon at the Liberty Soccer Field.
The Panthers rallied from an early deficit to capture their fourth consecutive win and improve to 7-2-4 overall and 3-0-0 in the Big South. The loss kept the Flames winless on the year at 0-10-1 (0-4-0 Big South).
Liberty got on the board quickly with a goal just over a minute into the action. Maria Owen chipped a pass over the HPU defensive backline to a streaking Silvia Betancourt, who lofted a shot past Panther goalkeeper Marisa Abbott in a 1-v-1 situation.
High Point pressured the Liberty defense for much of the remainder of the half behind an attacking offense. The aggressive play finally paid off in the 21st minute as seniors Renee Hitchcock and Kelly Farrell teamed together to score the equalizing goal for the Panthers. Hitchcock settled a pass from Farrell at the center-top of the box then turned and blasted a shot into the upper right hand corner for her fifth goal of the season.
"I was proud of the way we overcame some uncharacteristic mistakes in the first half," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "We were fortunate to be tied at halftime against a determined Liberty squad. I thought the girls did a great job of executing the game plan in the second half and we were able to convert on a pair of solid scoring chances. We must continue to do all the little things necessary for us to win games."
Just over five minutes into the second half of play, sophomore Sara Rager put the Panthers in front 2-1 with her fourth goal of the season. Rager gathered up a turnover at midfield, raced ahead of the Liberty defense and pushed a shot past the Liberty netminder in a 1-v-1 matchup.
HPU added an insurance score in the 78th minute when sophomore Jillie Johnston collected the rebound of her own shot and slipped it into the back of the net for the final margin of victory.
Abbott earned her fourth straight win between the pipes for High Point after recording five saves on the day. Liberty keeper Karen Blocker also tallied five stops in the loss.
High Point next hosts Big South foe Charleston Southern on Saturday night (7 p.m.) at Vert Track & Soccer Stadium.
