HIGH POINT, N.C. - Wrapping up its final test before the start of the 2019 regular season, High Point University women's soccer ended Friday night's exhibition with Charlotte in a 3-3 draw. The Panthers fell behind to the 49ers twice before finding equalizers, eventually netting the go ahead goal in the 63rd minute. A misplayed ball at the back end would result in a deflected goal for the visitors however, as HPU drew with their in-state rivals to close out the preseason.

"I think our offense was exciting and I was happy to see the progress that we've made there," said Head Coach Brandi Fontaine. "Defensively we need to tighten some things up. It's definitely going to be our focus this week to play a very good VCU team, but it was good to get some of our freshmen some experience and a lot of our players in general. Everybody got to play tonight, which was exciting to get some of that experience on the field and see what their game looks like entering into season."

Charlotte opened up Friday's scoring in the 29th, before the home side found the back of the net roughly six minutes after the opening tally. Recent transfer Alex Palmer was the first to strike for the Panthers in their preseason matchup, finishing the afternoon with a pair of shots steered on goal.

With the 49ers regaining their lead halfway through the second of the night's three 30 minute periods, it would be 2018 Big South Freshman of the Year Skyler Prillaman to knot things up once again in the 57th. Acquiring possession inside the attacking half, Prillaman made a run straight up the middle of the field before delivering a a screamer just under the crossbar from roughly 25 yards out. The sophomore led HPU with seven goals and 17 points in 2018, as the Virginia-native took four attempts at goal on the night overall.

With the Purple & White offense continuing to apply pressure, freshman Mikelle Claussen tallied the late finish in the 63rd minute on a volley from the top of the 18. Claussen's ball found the side-netting after a perfectly timed cross from sophomore Zoe Wehr put the freshman in position for another impressive Panthers goal and a 3-2 lead.

Ahead by a single tally in the waning minutes, the Panthers seemed destined to walk away with a 3-2 victory over Charlotte, before a poorly played ball at the back left goalkeeper Morgan Hairston on an island against 49er forward Haley Shand. Hairston attempted to clear the ball before the racing Shand could get in a finishing touch, but the result of the deflected ball slid just inside the left post for the night's equalizer.

The contest nearly ended in some late game heroics from Prillaman, as transfer Juliette Vidal played a dangerous ball to the sophomore inside the box with less than five seconds remaining. Prillaman supplied a low driving shot across the face of goal as the clock ticked down to zero but an impressive save from the Charlotte keeper secured a 3-3 final score on the evening.

COMING UP NEXT
The Panthers open the regular season next Thursday at home against Virginia Commonwealth. HPU fell to the Rams by a final of 3-1 last August, with Prillaman providing the lone tally for the Purple & White in that road match.