The High Point University women's soccer team rallied from behind twice on "Senior Day" to secure a 2-2 tie against Big South Conference leading Coastal Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Vert Track & Soccer Stadium.
High Point moves to 7-4-8 overall and finishes at 3-2-4 in the Big South after the draw while Coastal closes the regular season at 11-6-1 and 6-2-1. The eight draws, including three straight, sets a new single season record for ties at HPU.
"Today was a special day for some special senior players," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "I thought our younger players did a tremendous job of putting forth a special effort to help send our seniors out with a positive result. We had several opportunities to win this game against a very good Coastal Carolina squad. I was very proud of the effort our entire team gave today. Hopefully, we can build on this effort as we move into the Big South Tournament this week."
The Chanticleers struck first at 6:12 when Maegen Hellberg found Blair Monroe off a free kick from midfield. Monroe controlled the ball and lifted a shot over High Point goalkeeper Marissa Abbott, who came out of the six-yard box attempting to intercept the pass to Monroe.
High Point got a good look in the 31st minute as Jillie Johnston's shot sailed high after collecting a loose ball off a free kick. The Panthers knotted the score at 1-1 in the 33rd minute as Courtney Spotts' free kick from 25 yards out went through the hands of CCU goalkeeper Amy Haggard, off the head of Chants defender Anna Tupy and into the net.
Both teams finished with six shots in the first half and the Chanticleers attempted the only corner kick. Haggard and Abbott had two saves apiece in the first 45 minutes. Ashleigh Gunning had three shots to lead Coastal Carolina, while Johnston had two shots for HPU.
Coastal untied the match just 20 seconds into the second half. The Chanticleers attacked from the start as Sara Nilesfed Monroe in the six-yard box. She then fed an oncoming Gunning, who beat Abbott in the left corner for the score.
The Panthers had back-to-back good looks at a goal, but Sara Rager's shot was blocked by Haggard and Katie Taber's header at the back post went just wide left. High Point finally knotted the game at 2-2 at the 62:02 mark. A slashing Taber received a well played pass from Rager and then beat Haggard to the right corner.
Karra Damascus had a good look for the Panthers in the 80th minute, but her header was high of the goal. Neither team could get a game-winning goal in the last 10 minutes sending HPU to overtime for the ninth time this year.
High Point dominated possession in the first overtime session as the teams spent nearly all 10 minutes of play in the Panthers' offensive end. However, Gunning and Coastal Carolina had the best look in the first overtime after the striker received a pass from Chelsea Terry and had a one-on-one with Abbott. Gunning's attempt flew just wide left in the 109th minute and the game went to the second overtime.
Abbott made a tremendous diving save midway through the second half to snuff out a final scoring opportunity for the Chanticleers.
HPU outshot CCU 18-14, including a 4-3 edge during overtime, and held a 3-1 corner-kick advantage. Abbott finished with five saves in the match while Haggard stopped four shots. Gunning led all players with nine shots, while Laura Eldridge and Taber had three shots apiece to pace the Panthers.
The Panthers will next host the Big South Conference Championship Tournament beginning on Thursday. Opening round pairings for the tournament will be announced by the League office on Sunday evening.
