Site: High Point, N.C. (Vert Stadium)
Score: High Point 1, Charleston Southern 0
Records: HPU: 10-6-2 (8-0-2 Big South), CSU: 7-10-2 (3-5-2 Big South)
Next HPU Event: Thursday, Nov. 7 – Big South Semifinals (Matthews, N.C.), TBA
The High Point women's soccer team advanced to the Big South Semifinals with their 1-0 win over Charleston Southern in the Big South Quarterfinals on Friday (Nov 1). HPU's last Big South semifinal appearance came in 2017. Senior Kyle Levesque was the difference maker as she scored off of a corner kick in the 63rd minute, she was assisted by Carsyn Gold.
"I'm really happy that we were able to walk away with a win tonight, unfortunately it wasn't in the fashion in which we wanted to win. It wasn't always pretty but we got the job done and we are excited to be moving on to the next round." Head coach Brandi Fontaine said. "We knew the playoff mentality is so different. We told the team, it's a new season and that's because anything can happen in the playoffs. Everybody is out to get everyone else in the playoffs, It's another opportunity. Any team is looking to take us down we know that, whether we play the eight seed or the two seed we have to come in and we have to be strong and play every game as if it's our last one."
HPU dominated possession against Charleston Southern outshooting the Bucs in the first half 9-0, with six shots on goal. Levesque led the Panthers in shots after the first half with three quality looks, two of which were on goal. Both of Levesque's on target shots were great and required diving saves from CSU's Jasmine Gonzales. Juliette Vidal had an identical first-half stat line with three shots and two on goal.
As the quarterfinal remained scoreless the Buccaneers and Panthers continued to battle. In the 63rd minute, the Panthers were rewarded a corner kick. Carsyn Gold started the corner quickly as she passed the ball to Levesque, who shot it from beyond the box and scored to put HPU up 1-0 in the 63rd minute. This is Levesque's third goal of the season.
The Panthers also put together an impressive outing on defense not allowing a single shot in the first 45 minutes of the game. Senior goalkeeper Talia Klimes picked up her seventh shutout of the year (a conference-best this season.). The defense only allowed five shots to be taken in the entire contest.
The Panthers finished the evening leading in several statistical categories, HPU outshot the Bucs 14-9, High Point also dominated possession as the Panthers controlled the ball for 68% of the time.
Up Next: With the win, the Panthers have earned their spot in the Big South semifinals as they will take on Gardner Webb on Thursday (Nov 7) in Matthews, N.C at 4:00 PM.
#GoHPU
