The High Point University women's soccer team earned a hard fought 1-1 tie against Wofford on Sunday afternoon at Vert Track & Soccer Stadium. With the tie, the Panthers and Terriers both moved to 0-1-1 on the season.
In contrast to their opening game on Friday night, HPU was much more aggressive on both ends of the field. The Panthers earned a 15-4 advantage in shot attempts including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
"Overall this was a much better performance for us," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "Our young players are getting more comfortable and playing with a higher level of confidence. We still have some things to work on and we will need to be more creative in the final third, but that is something we can work on this week in practice."
HPU got on the board first taking a 1-0 lead with a goal in the second minute of play (1:38). Freshman Taylor Ray found the back of the net with a blast from the top of the 18-yard box. Sophomore Sara Rager set up the Panther's score with a low crossing pass from the left side.
Freshman goalkeeper Andrea Ritchie made her first collegiate start for High Point and held the Terriers scoreless for nearly 58 minutes of play. Wofford's Monica Ploetzke headed a ball just over Ritchie's outstretched arms to knot the score at one and end her shutout bid.
Both squads had quality chances to score the game winner during the remainder of the second half and a pair of overtime periods but neither netminder allowed another shot past them. Wofford had five corner kick tries in the second half while the Panthers got off four shots in overtime.
The Panthers best scoring tries included a rocket off the foot of freshman Robin Pecoraro that glanced off the crossbar in the 76th minute and a defense-splitting run by junior Courtney Spotts that ended with a diving save by Wofford's Katie McChesney.
McChesney (0-1-1) finished with seven saves including three in overtime while Ritchie (0-0-1) tallied one save.
High Point next hits the road for the first time this season when the Panthers visit Chattanooga on Friday, Aug. 29. HPU's next home game will be next Sunday (Aug. 31) against USC-Upstate at 2 p.m.