Site: Buies Creek, N.C.
Score: Campbell 4, High Point 3 
Records: HPU 13-7-0 (7-1-0 Big South), CU 16-2-2 (8-0-0 Big South)

BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- The High Point University men's soccer team had its Big South Tournament run come to an end on Sunday afternoon (Nov 17.) in a 4-1 loss to top-seeded Campbell.
 
"First off, Thank you to our seniors. Unfortunately, we didn't do enough today, and Campbell is a very good team. They deserved it and we wish them the best of luck in the NCAA tournament. I cannot wait to get back to work with our returning players and continue to push this program in the right direction." Head coach Zach Haines said. "We have a lot of work to do, but I am confident that there is a strong foundation to build on. Also, a huge thank you to my staff for their tireless efforts this season - Josh, Travis, Shane, and TJ. As well as our support staff with Liz, Brian, April, Athletic Director- Dan Hauser and many others that provide us a platform to be successful."

High Point was the aggressor early, with a Jonathan Bolanos chance from Ryan Inman to set up the Panthers' first corner of the game in the 2nd minute. Campbell responded in the sixth minute with a chance off their first set piece of the afternoon, but Keegan Meyer was able to come up with his first save of the match. 
Campbell broke the scoreless tie on a goal from Matt Lock in the ninth minute of the contest. The Fighting Camels found their second goal of the match off the foot of Thibaut Jacquel in the 12th minute of the game to take the 2-0 lead. Campbell did not let off the gas pedal, controlling possession for much of the first half. A goal from Ian Rees made the score 3-0 in the 25th minute. 

High Point tried to get something going shortly after the third goal, with Karson Kendall recording the Panthers first shot, also in the 25th minute, but the chance was blocked by Campbell. High Point challenged the Campbell goalie for the first time just a minute later with a shot on goal from Bolanos. The Camels refused to let up, though, scoring their fourth goal of the first half in the 29th minute. 

The Panthers would not give up, and it paid off on an unassisted goal from Ilias Kosmidis in the 33rd minute of the game to cut the Campbell lead to 4-1 heading into halftime. The goal was Kosmidis' third in the Big South tournament. Kosmidis snapped Campbell's impressive postseason shutout streak, as HPU's goal marked the first goal Campbell has allowed since 2017 in tournament play. 

To start the second half, the Panthers registered a shot within the first four seconds, Inman sent a shot in from midfield on the kickoff that rattled off of the cross bar and just missed the back of the net. 

Meyer recorded his first save of the second half on a Campbell chance off a free kick in the 52nd minute of play. LaLas Ayertay had a shot go off a Campbell defender to give the Panthers their third corner kick of the contest in the 56th minute. 

The Panthers controlled the pace for the majority of the second half as Inman recorded his second shot of the game off a free kick in the 71st minute, but sent the shot just wide of the goal. High Point continued to push, with Kosmidis sending a shot on target in the 73rd minute, his second chance of the game. Meyer stood strong in the second half as the Camels continued firing shots his way, making two saves in the final 45 minutes, bringing his total to five in the match. 

This result brings an end to one of the most impressive streaks the Big South has ever seen, this was High Point's first Big South loss in over three years. This season marked the second consecutive year that the Panthers won 13 games in a season. HPU's 13-7 2019 record is tied for third in most wins a season in program history. High Point picked up 13 wins this season while facing one of its most challenging slates ever. It was a regular season schedule that featured three ranked opponents (UNCC, Virginia, and Wake Forest) and three ACC opponents (Virginia, Wake Forest, and Duke). High Point's win over Duke marked the Panthers 4th ACC win in five years.

After the match, Alessandro Sobacchi, Ilias Kosmidis, and Jonathan Bolanos were named to the Big South All-Tournament team.    

 #GoHPU