Box Score (PDF)

• High Point lost at NC State by a score of 4-2 on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.
• The loss was the first of the season for the Panthers, dropping them to 3-1-1 on the season.
• Redshirt-senior Kelsey Perrell and redshirt-junior Bailey Beattie both scored in the contest for HPU.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The High Point University women's soccer team fell for the first time this season with a 4-2 loss at NC State on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C. Redshirt-senior Kelsey Perrell and redshirt-junior Bailey Beattie both scored for HPU in the loss.

"I thought tonight was a great experience for our girls," head coach Marty Beall said. "This is the best team that we have played so far this season and probably the best NC State team that I have seen in a decade. They have several unbelievable forwards and center midfielders. They exposed some weaknesses tonight and gave us some things to work on to get better. That is why we play these games, to challenge ourselves and get ready for conference play."

High Point's record drops to 3-1-1 with the loss while NC State improve to 3-2-0.

The Panthers fell into a quick hole on a goal by Jackie Stengel off a corner kick in the fourth minute. Stengel one-touched a shot out of the air to the far post to put HPU in an early 1-0 deficit.

High Point came right back to tie the game ten minutes later when Perrell scored her second goal of the season. Junior Michele Micciche got to a ball saved on a shot by junior Becca Rolfe and hit a cross to the near post for Perrell who headed the ball home.

The two teams traded goals in the 25th minutes to keep the game knotted at 2-2. NC State's Cailyn Boch scored with a back heel finish at the near post off a cross from the right to put the Wolfpack up 2-1. Just 41 seconds later, Beattie was taken down in the box to earn a penalty kick. The forward took the kick and converted with the shot to the left for her second goal of the season.

High Point appeared on the verge of going into the half tied at 2-2, thanks in part to a couple great saves by junior Alex Hank, but a goal by the Wolfpack's Michaella van Maanen in the 43rd minute put NC State back ahead 3-2. Hank went low to deflect a shot from the left side but the rebound fell to the feet of van Maanen for the tap in.

NC State tacked on a goal in the 59th minute on a free kick by Ricarda Walking to extend the lead to 4-2. Walking hit a curling free kick that missed the heads of the Wolfpack players but tucked itself inside the far post.

High Point continued to press forward trying to find a goal in the second half and in the closing seconds Perrell got space on the right wing and whipped a cross to the far post but freshman Alex Denny's header back across goal ran just wide.

The Panthers were outshot, 19-8, in the game and had four shots on frame compared to 10 for NC State. Hank made four saves in the game before making way for sophomore Emily Lyon in the 65th minute. Lyon had two saves for HPU in her time on the field.

High Point continues its current six-game road swing with a match at Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 4, in Lexington, Ky. Kickoff in the contest is set for 4 p.m.

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