Box Score PDF

• Senior Michele Micciche posted her first goal of the season in the 12^th minute to give HPU a 1-0 edge
• Senior Alex Hank played the full 90' and made six saves, one shy of a career-high
• HPU returns to the Triad to take on Elon on Sunday night at 7 p.m.
 
AUBURN, Ala. – The High Point University women's soccer team grabbed an early lead, but saw Auburn rally for a 3-1 victory on Friday night at Auburn Soccer Complex.
 
"I'm very proud of our performance," head coach Marty Beall said. "The first 20 minutes of the game were absolutely fantastic. I loved how our players responded to various things that happened in the game. We really came together and grew a lot as a team against a very athletic Auburn squad."
 
High Point (2-5-0) came out hot with three shots in the opening 12 minutes. Senior Michele Micciche drew iron on an open shot opportunity in the 10^th minute, but didn't miss on her second chance two minutes later. Following a deft takeaway from senior Bri Jean-Charles near the top of the box, Micciche controlled possession and chipped a shot over the Auburn keeper for a 1-0 Panther advantage.

The goal for Micciche was her first of the season and eighth of her career. It also snapped HPU's scoreless streak at 353:10 with a majority of that time coming against SEC schools.

Auburn (3-3-1) began to take control of the match following the first 20 minutes. The Tigers peppered senior goalkeeper Alex Hank with shots, ultimately tying the match in the 29th minute on a goal by Bri Folds. A long floated ball was sent in to the post where Folds finished. Hank wound up making four saves in the opening stanza, keeping the Panthers even in the match.

The Tigers continued their pressure in the second half and took the lead in the 58th minute. This time, it was Folds on the corner kick, who arced a perfect ball to the middle of the box, where it was headed in by Courtney Schell. Ten minutes later, Auburn's Kristen Dodson finished to the far post to put the Tigers on top 3-1.

Auburn commanded the second half, yielding just one shot to the Panthers after taking the two-goal edged. The Tigers ended up with a 21-5 edge in shots, including 9-1 on goal. Hank finished with six saves, one shy of her career high. 

HPU finishes the road portion of its non-conference slate on Sunday at Elon. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
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