BOX SCORE

The High Point University men's soccer team battled UNC Asheville to a 1-1 double-overtime tie on Saturday afternoon in Asheville, N.C. Freshman Mamadee Nyepon scored the Panthers' only goal of the game late in the first half.

“I thought we were very focused and started the game well. To only get one goal out of the first half was a little disappointing. We moved the ball and played hard. Credit to them for blocking some shots and their goalkeeper came up big. They were able to keep us at bay and find a goal late to tie the game.

HPU's record is now 4-5-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the Big South while UNC Asheville moves to 2-6-3 overall and 1-1-1 in the Big South. The match was High Point's second in a row to go to double overtime and its fifth overtime game of the season. The Panthers are now 1-2-2 extra time this season.

The Panthers had a chance to take an early lead when UNC Asheville was called for a foul in the box in the third minute of action. Junior Shawn Sloan stepped up to take the penalty kick but was denied by Asheville keeper Lassi Hurskainen who made the save to keep the game tied.

High Point broke the scoreless draw in the 35^th minute when senior Karo Okiomah found Nyepon to put HPU up, 1-0. The ball was played over the top to Okiomah who played it back to the trailing Nyepon. The forward one-timed a left footed shot from 15 yards out into the upper part of the net for the score. The goal was Nyepon's second of the season as the freshman has now scored in two out of the last three games.

The score remained 1-0 until late in the second half when the Bulldogs drew a foul 25 yards away from goal and Asheville's Bryan Bartell put the resulting free kick into the net to tie the game at 1-1.

High Point put up three shots in the extra time, forcing a save by Hurskainen and hitting the post in the second overtime period, but was unable to score a second goal.

The Panthers outshot UNC Asheville 22-10 in the game and put 10 shots on goal in the game. The team also had a 9-7 advantage in corner kicks. Senior Michael Chesler made six saves in the game for HPU.

High Point next returns home to face Coastal Carolina in a rematch of last season's Big South Championship match on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Panthers lost the Championship 3-1 after beating CCU on the road, 2-1, in overtime during the regular season. HPU trails in the all-time series with a 3-13-2 record.