BOX SCORE

Two second-half goals by Elon doomed the High Point University women's soccer team in a 2-0 loss to the Phoenix on Friday night in Burlington, N.C. Senior Andrea Ritchie made two saves in the loss.

“The first half was a battle of the midfield but unfortunately in the second half Elon wanted it more than we did," head coach marty Beall said. "We really didn't show up to play until the final 10 minutes of the game when we were already down two goals. That is too late to start playing against a quality team like Elon.”

The loss drops High Point to 2-5-1 on the season while Elon improves to 2-4-1

Elon took a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute on a great individual effort by Bethany Houpt. Houpt cut into the box from the right side took a touch towards the near post before rifling a shot into the upper left corner of the net from 16 yards out.

Five minutes later, Elon doubled its lead with a second goal by Houpt on a Phoenix counter attack to make the score 2-0. The ball was played to Simi Dhaliwal just past the half line and the forward took a touch before playing it to Houpt who was running up the left side. Houpt then hit a hard shot that caromed of the left post and into the net for her second goal of the game.

High Point pressed late in the game looking to get back into the game in the final 10 minutes with shots by senior Katie Taber and sophomore Brooke Lisson but the Panthers were unable to beat Elon goalie Shannon Cosgrove.

The Panthers returns home on Sunday, Sept. 18, when they play host to Appalachian State in their final non-conference home game of the season. The game will be the first time the two teams have met since the Mountaineers beat HPU, 5-1, in 1999 in High Point's first Division I contest. Kick-off for the game is set for 2 p.m.