• High Point University women's soccer capped off their weekend in Virginia with a 2-1 loss to Virginia Tech, as freshman forward Caitlin Shepherd tallied her second goal of the year 
• After surrendering a pair of goals in the first 45 minutes, the Panthers were the aggressors in the second, with Shepherd collecting her goal on a penalty kick in the 81st minute
• Goalkeeper Talia Klimes made the first start of her career on the way to making a career-high three saves in the first half

BLACKSBURG, VA. - It was a tale of two halves this Sunday, as High Point University women's soccer lost by a single-goal margin to power-five opponent Virginia Tech. After surrendering a pair in the opening 36 minutes, the Panthers responded with a goal of their own late in the second, losing by a final of 2-1.

High Point's defense stifled their hosts for the majority of the early stages, despite giving up some weight in the possession category. Junior goalkeeper Talia Klimes showed out in the first half, making multiple diving stops in the first 45 minutes of Sunday's contest. 

The visiting side looked completely different in the latter half, putting the pressure back on their former aggressors with five attempts at net. "We just finally settled into the game." said Head Coach Brandi Fontaine. "We started working on things that we had talked about applying to this game. We really put forth much more effort and I think it just came down to our overall effort in the second half that just completely changed things."

The Panthers' continuous possession in the attacking half of the field eventually put the home side on its heels, leading to a foul against the Hokies inside the 16-yard box. With less than 10 minutes remaining, freshman Caitlin Shepherd lined up for her team's first penalty of the year, slotting home her attempt just within the right post.

The Panthers controlled the majority of possession in the waning nine minutes, but Fontaine's club would ultimately run out of time, forced to take the final 2-1 decision.

"...we're taking every game one at a time, and we're getting better and better each game." says Coach Fontaine. "I think the people that aren't with us everyday don't realize those strides and the big successes that we're having. But those that are with us everyday know exactly what it is that we're working toward and striving for. I think it's really coming together."

>> Shepherd's tally puts her in a tie with fellow freshman Skyler Prillaman for a team-high two goals
>> Goalkeeper Charlotte Kennedy provided 45 minutes of shutout relief, making a pair of stops in the second half
>> Returning to the lineup, junior Allie Reagan played all 90 minutes of Sunday's contest on the backline
>> Freshman forward Brooke Parsons took a pair of shots in her first start in the Purple & White

COMING UP NEXT
High Point University returns home for its final match of August, hosting Elon this coming Friday at 7 p.m.

#GoHPU