BOX SCORE

A goal by sophomore Jenny Butler midway through the second half broke a scoreless tie and gave the High Point University women's soccer team a 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina in HPU's Big South opener on Saturday evening in Conway, S.C.

“It is important for us to get started in the right direction in our quest to win the Big South regular season,” head coach Marty Beall said. “Winning on the road in the Big South is always difficult so to come to Coastal Carolina's place and get a 1-0 result is huge for this program.”

High Point improves to 3-8-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the Big South with the win while Coastal Carolina falls to 4-6-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the Big South.

The Panthers broke a scoreless stalemate in the 58th minute when Butler stole the ball from a Coastal defender at the edge of the offensive third and immediately launch a bending shot from 35-yards out which dropped in between the crossbar and the goalie's outstretched hand. The score was the first of Butler's collegiate career.

“It feels great to have the game-winning goal tonight,” Butler said. “Coach told us at halftime to keep shooting from the outside so that is what I was looking to do. Obviously helping to win the first conference game feels unbelievable.”

Coastal Carolina pushed forward after the HPU goal looking for an equalizer but were unable to break through an organized Panther defense. Junior Andrea Ritchie made four saves in the match and snared a dangerous cross with just one minute left in the contest.

High Point opened the second half on the offensive as senior Sara Rager had a shot tipped just over the crossbar in the 47th minute and junior Katie Taber's free kick from 25-yards out was also saved in the 49th minute.

The first half was a scoreless affair but both teams earned several dangerous scoring chances. Twice in the opening 45 minutes freshman Becca Hemby sent dangerous crosses across the front of goal but both just missed the feet of HPU's hard charging attackers. Hemby also had High Point's best chance of the half with a shot on goal that was corralled by the CCU keeper.

High Point continues its road trip on Monday when the Panthers travel to Charleston, S.C., to play Charleston Southern. Kick-off in the game is set for 4 p.m.