BOX SCORE
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In the last home game of her career, senior Jillie Johnston connected on a header in the first period of extra time to deliver the High Point University women's soccer team a 2-1 win over UNC Asheville on Friday night in Vert Stadium.

“I thought we really battled hard her tonight,” head coach Marty Beall said. “They gave us a lot of trouble. I thought we created numerous chances in the second half but we just unable to capitalize and hopefully we got that out of our system as we prepare for the Big South Championship.”

Freshman Kelli Joline started the play with a great step over move in the right side of the 18 to shake loose from a Bulldog defender before crossing the ball to the far post. Johnston ran onto the ball made a run to the post and dove to get her head on the pass, knocking it in for her first score of the season in the 98th minute.

“I can't put in to words what it felt like to score that goal,” Johnston said. “We were all so tired but the love we have for one another pushed all of us forward. I saw Kelli send the ball to the post and I just ran as hard as I could and just dove to head it in. When your teammate makes a play like that you just have to finish it and I am just so happy that I was able to do that.”

High Point fell behind early in the contest when UNCA's Amanda Knapp scored to put UNCA up 1-0 in the eighth minute. Knapp split the HPU center backs and ran onto a ball played back into the Panther's defensive third. The Asheville forward just managed to get off a shot with her first touch, sending it past junior Andrea Ritchie and into the net.

The Panthers battled back from the early goal and in the 15th minute Joline scored her team-best ninth goal of the season to even the game at 1-1. Junior Robin Pecoraro carried the ball into the offensive third and sent a cross into the box from the left side. Joline beat the Asheville defense to the ball and took one touch before letting loose a shot from the right side to the far post. The goal was Joline's eighth tally in a conference match, tying her with Charleston Southern's Marky Boyce for first in the Big South.

In the second half, High Point controlled the run of play, outshooting UNCA 14-5, but was unable to find the game winner. Asheville's off-sides trap held the Panthers in check throughout the game as HPU attackers were caught behind the defense a season-high 14 times.

The win by HPU improves the Panther's record on the season to 8-10-1, besting the team's seven wins from last season. High Point's 6-2-1 Big South record is the team's best in 12 seasons in the conference and its six wins is a new season high. The Panthers could clinch a share of the Big South Regular Season Championship if Coastal Carolina beats Winthrop on Saturday.

“These girls have really worked their tails off all year and for them to earn six wins in conference play for the first time is fantastic,” Beall said. “I am very proud of the effort they have put in to all of our training sessions and the success that has come from that is exactly what they deserve. These young ladies have done a fantastic job.”

Ritchie made four saves in the game to win her eighth game of the season, a new High Point Division I record. The previous record of seven was set by Erica Brockmyer in 2005.

The win over the Bulldogs marks the end of the regular season for High Point. The Panthers will next prepare to take part in the Big South Championship in Radford, Va., starting on Nov. 4. Seeding and game times for the championship will be announced on Sunday.