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The High Point University men's soccer team beat UNC Asheville 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament Thursday at Vert Stadium. The Panthers scored once in each half to advance to the semifinals against fifth-seeded Radford Friday at 7 p.m.

Big South Conference Player of the Year Karo Okiomah scored a header in the first half while sophomore Shane Malcolm picked up a goal and an assist in the win.

“We are excited to get a result against a well-organized, well-coached UNC Asheville team,” said head coach Dustin Fonder. “They showed a very good defensive approach that slowed us down at times but we were patient and found the goals we needed.”

High Point got on the board in the 19th minute when Karo Okiomah connected on a pass from Malcolm for his 12th goal of the season. Malcolm crossed the ball from the corner and Karo Okiomah headed the ball in to the top left corner, just out of the reach of UNC Asheville's diving goal keeper.

Malcolm picked up his seventh goal of the season in the second half, also on a header. In the 55th minute senior Scott Rojo crossed the ball and Malcolm got his head on it in the box to put HPU up 2-0.

In the 63rd minute Malcolm nearly earned his second goal of the night, pulling the goalie off the line and pushing the ball past him but he was ruled offsides on the play.

UNC Asheville managed just one shot on goal in the game, by Bryan Bartels in the 45th minute, which Michael Chesler brought in for his only save of the night.

The Panthers advance to the semifinals and will face Radford at 7 p.m. at Vert Stadium. Radford topped Liberty 2-1 in the quarterfinals. HPU and Radford met in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament last season with the Highlanders pulling out a 4-3 win. This season HPU beat Radford 2-1 on Oct. 13 at Vert Stadium. Shawn Sloan and Malcolm each scored in the game.