BOX SCORE
The High Point University men's soccer team took a 2-0 lead into the half but were unable to hang on as Davidson scored three in the second half to win, 3-2, Tuesday night in Vert Stadium. Freshman
Stephen Clowes (Cary, N.C./Green Hope) and redshirt freshman
Ryan Bennett (Cary, N.C./Cary Christian) each scored in the opening 45 for HPU.
The Panther's offensive attack started strong, maintaining pressure on the Wildcats backline and creating numerous opportunities. In the 10th minute, Clowes staked High Point to a 1-0 lead with a header to the lower left corner of the goal off a corner kick by senior
Matt Tuttle (Winston-Salem, N.C./Reynolds). The goal came at the end of a run of three-straight HPU corner kicks. The assist was Tuttle's 14th of his career, which ties the High Point Division I record for career assists. The record was previously held solely by Chris Archer (2003-06).
The game settled into a back-and-forth affair after the HPU tally until sophomore
Karo Okiomah (Austin, Texas/Hendrickson-Pflugerville) drew a penalty kick in the 36th minute. Okiomah received the ball at the top right corner of the box and dribbled at Davidson's left back who fouled the sophomore as he appeared to turn the corner. Bennett converted the resulting PK to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Wildcats increased their attack, tying the game with two consecutive headers off of corner kicks by Alex Caskey and Yannick Pilgrim in the 51st and 53rd minutes.
Pilgrim scored the game-winner 13 minutes later when he took a long ball down the right side and beat sophomore goalkeeper
Michael Chesler one-on-one from close range to give Davidson a 3-2 lead.
The Panthers pressed forward after the second Pilgrim goal but were unable to find an equalizer. Several HPU shots were blocked before reaching goal as Davidson packed the box to preserve its one-goal lead.
With the loss, High Point falls to 4-3 on the season while Davidson improves to 5-1-0. The Panthers conclude their three-game home stand on Saturday at 7 p.m. when they welcome East Tennessee State to Vert Stadium.
