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A ferocious second-half comeback by the High Point University men's soccer team fell just short as the Panthers fell, 3-2, to Western Illinois at the Cincinnati Adidas Classic Sunday afternoon. Freshmen Stephen Clowes (Cary, N.C./Green Hope) and Fejiro Okiomah (Austin, Texas/Hendirckson-Pflugerville) picked up second-half tallies for HPU.

"I am disappointed that with all the preparation we had for this match that we didn't start with more enthusiasm and energy," said head coach Dustin Fonder. "However, when we challenged the team at halftime, they responded in a positive way and brought what we need to bring for 90 minutes to the last 45. It had nothing to do with tactics or technique, it was strictly effort. If you stroll around, your not going to score goals or stop people but when you put energy and heart into it, this can be a very good team."

High Point fell behind 3-0 in the first half as the Fighting Leathernecks received two goals from Martin Browne Jr. and one from Arthur Paszkowski. HPU applied significant offensive pressure throughout the first half, earning five corner kicks and forcing three Western Illinois saves, but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the second half, the Panthers came out with a high energy level, controlling the run of play and outshooting WIU 10-2.

In the 54th minute, High Point cut the lead to 3-1 with a goal by Clowes. Freshman Shawn Sloan(Geneva, Ill./Geneva) made a run down the left side and dribbled through two defenders into the box before delivering a pass across the face of goal to a streaking Clowes who finished from close range.

HPU continued to trim the lead in the 77th minute as Okiomah scored on a header off a corner by senior Matt Tuttle (Winston-Salem, N.C./Reynolds). Okiomah had earned a penalty just seconds earlier on a strong run into the box but the Leathernecks goalie managed to kick away the ensuing PK by Tuttle to force the corner.

The Panthers continued to press forward on the attack but could not find the equalizer as time ran out with the score still 3-2 in favor of WIU.