BOX SCORE
PHOTO GALLERY

The High Point men's soccer team battled Elon to a scoreless double-overtime tie in the 2011 season opener on Saturday night in Elon, N.C. HPU put up 16 shots with 10 on goal but was unable to find the back of the net in the draw.

“This was a good hard-fought college game that I think will help us moving forward this season,” head coach Dustin Fonder said. “Elon is a very good team. They had a lot of possession of the ball which really forced us to be stay organized and defend. We would have like to be more efficient in the attack but it just wasn't our night tonight.”

Junior Shawn Sloan led the Panthers with four shots in the game including three on goal while senior Karo Okiomah chipped in with three of his own, with two on target. Senior Michael Chesler made five saves in the game to earn his first clean sheet of the season.

The game was an up and down affair throughout regulation with neither team able to claim a clear advantage. The two teams combined for 26 shots through the first 90 minutes with Elon holding a slight 15-11 lead. Phoenix keeper Reed Dillard stopped seven HPU shots while Chesler made five saves.

High Point took control of the game in extra time, outshooting Elon by a 5-1 margin in the two overtime periods and putting three shots on net.

The Panthers' best chance of the game came in the second overtime period when Leon Carby hit a shot from just outside the box that forced Dillard to make a diving save. The rebound came out to freshman Mamadee Nyepon whose shot caromed off the post. Sloan then appeared to knock home that rebound to win the game but the midfielder was called offsides.

High Point next returns to Vert Stadium for its home opener on Thursday, Sept. 1, when the Panthers will host Lipscomb at 7 p.m. It is the first-ever meeting between the two squads.