For the third time in their first five games of the season, the High Point University women's soccer team earned a draw against an opponent posting a 1-1 tie at Elon University on Wednesday night.
With the tie, HPU's record moves to 1-1-3 while the draw drops the Phoenix to 1-1-1.
The Panthers held advantages in corner kicks (5-3), total shots (14-12) and shots on goal (8-4). The Phoenix committed fewer fouls (12-21) and made more saves (7-3).
Both teams tallied a score in the 23rd minute of the game. High Point struck first as redshirt-freshman Karra Damascus scored her first career goal by poking a shot off the outside of her foot past the Elon goalkeeper at the 22:35 mark. Sophomore Sara Rager set up Damascus for the score with a chip service over the head of a Phoenix defender.
Elon responded less than 20 seconds later (22:52) when Molly Calpin collected a misplayed clearance in the High Point box and chipped a shot over the head of Panther goalie Andrea Ritchie.
Both teams had quality scoring chances in the second half and overtime but were unable to strike the deciding goal.
The Panthers averted a solid opportunity by Elon in the opening minute of the second half after Ritchie blocked a shot attempt with a dive allowing Elon an open net follow-up that deflected harmlessly of the crossbar.
Midway through the second half, High Point had a quality chance when Rachael Parker's header off a corner kick sailed just wide of the goal mouth. With about three minutes left in regulation, Rager made an open run down the middle of the field drawing the Elon keeper of her line and forcing her to make a diving save.
In the first overtime frame, Laura Eldridge slipped a pass to a streaking Lauren Stockell who then pushed a shot just wide left in a 1v1 situation against the Elon netminder. Elon saw a breakaway chance in the second extra period go unfinished with a shot sent arching over the HPU goal.
"Despite playing our third game in six days, I thought we played with great effort," said HPU head coach Michelle Rayner. "We played very organized. We pressured them effectively and gave ourselves several scoring opportunities. We just have to keep working on completing chances around the net. Overall, I was proud of our team's complete effort."
HPU's Ritchie (1-0-3) remained undefeated this season between the pipes after recording three saves in the contest. Rager and freshman Laura Shupe paced the Panther offensive attack with three shots each.
High Point continues its current seven-game road stretch this weekend when the Panthers participate in the Blue Raider Invitational hosted by MTSU in Murfeesboro, Tenn. HPU faces Alabama A&M on Friday in the opening game of the tournament before meeting event host MTSU on Sunday afternoon.
