Box Score BOX SCORE

The High Point University women's soccer team set an HPU Division I single-game record with seven goals in a 7-0 win over VMI in Lexington, Va., on Friday afternoon. Senior Sara Rager had two goals and two assists in the win.

“This is a difficult place to play against a very hard working VMI team so I am very pleased with how we executed,” head coach Marty Beall said. “We have been really focusing on finishing chances and it was great to see the player respond in a game situation. To be able to score seven goals and capitalize on our opportunities is great for our program.”

The Panthers' first goal of the game was scored by senior Rachel Parker off a corner kick by Rager in the 6th minute. Rager lofted a ball to the near post where Parker connected with a header that found the net just inside the post. The goal was Parker's first of her collegiate career.

HPU doubled its advantage just two minutes later when junior Katie Taber connected for her fourth goal of the season. Taber received the ball at the edge of the box from Rager and beat a VMI defender with a step over before sending a shot past the Keydet goalkeeper to the near post.

High Point continued to press the attack and once against found the back of the net with a goal by Rager in the 12th minute. Senior Jillie Johnston headed a pass over to Rager at the edge of the penalty area where Rager lofted a shot over the VMI goalie for her first score of the season.

VMI took control of the possession for about 10 minutes of play but High Point wrestled it back and in the 29th minute freshman Kelli Joline scored her team-best seventh goal of the season to increase the HPU lead to 4-0. Taber released Joline with a through ball into the box allowing the forward to beat the keeper one-on-one with a shot to the far post.

Taber picked up her second score of the game in the 53rd minute after freshman Becca Hemby drew a foul just outside of the 18. Taber lined up over the ball and hit a hard shot through the wall into the lower right corner of goal.

High Point pushed its lead to 6-0 on Rager's second goal of the game in the 66th minute of play. Sophomore Jenny Butler lofted a cross to the box which the VMI goalkeeper deflected away from the face of the goal. The keeper then collided with a VMI defender as the ball rolled out to Rager at the edge of the 18. Rager one touched a shot to the far post for the goal.

The scoring barrage continued in the 74th minute when sophomore Danielle Schepler scored for her first goal of the season to put the Panthers up, 7-0. Junior Robin Pecoraro freed Schepler with a through ball behind the VMI defense. Schepler ran on the ball and beat the keeper with a quick shot from 15-yards out as she came off her line. The goal was Schepler's first of her collegiate career.

With her two assists, Rager tied the HPU Division I single-season record with eight on the year. The senior already holds the career assists record with 22 in her four years at HPU.

With the win, High Point improves to 6-9-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the Big South. The Panthers are undefeated in their last four games and have outscored their opponents in those games, 14-2. The four conference wins matches HPU's total from last season. VMI falls to 2-14-1 overall and 1-5-1 in the Big South with the loss.

The Panthers will attempt to continue their strong play on Sunday when they head to Radford, Va., to take on the Radford Highlanders. HPU beat Radford, 1-0, in overtime in last season's Big South semifinals. Kick-off for the match is set for 2 p.m.