HIGH POINT, N.C. - A brace from sophomore Alex Abril secured a preseason win for High Point University men's soccer on Saturday night, as the Panthers downed visiting Georgia Southern by a final of 2-0. The Purple & White steered a total of eight shots on goal over the course of the night, with Abril putting away both of his attempts on net.

"For what we were looking for in our first preseason game... I felt that we did what we wanted to in terms of giving guys opportunities and playing everyone on the roster that was available," said first-year Head Coach Zach Haines. "We wanted to see some fight. We wanted to see guys playing with intensity. We wanted to see guys competing at a really high level and ultimately giving everything that they could every play. I felt we did that. We made a ton of mistakes. We had a lot of shaky moments, but we absolutely played with effort, we absolutely played with intensity and we competed. We helped each other. Guys were out there helping each other along; covering for one another, communicating and directing. For our first game in preseason, as far as what we wanted out of it, I think we achieved it. We have a ton of work to do, but it was a great first night for the guys and I know that they enjoyed it."

Despite controlling the majority of possession in the opening 45 minutes, the Panthers took a 7-4 shot deficit into halftime against the Eagles, with starting goalkeeper Keegan Meyer making a trio of impressive saves to keep the match scoreless in the first stanza. Newcomer Jordan Lonchar presented the first HPU scoring opportunity of the night, teeing up a shot from outside the 18 that was steered away by the GSU keeper. The Panthers continued to apply pressure through the remainder of the half, but it would be a pair of point blank saves from Meyer that kept the first 45 in a stale mate. 

The Panthers appeared destined to break the scoreless tie midway through the second half, with forwards Ilias Kosmidis and Lonchar combining for three attempts at net in the 66th minute. Senior midfielder Ryan Inman got in on the action just moments later, deflecting an HPU free kick on towards frame, that was subsequently blocked by the awaiting Eagles defense.

The first goal of the night would come off the foot of substitute Alex Abril, who put away his first of two tallies just a minute after checking in off the bench in the second half. A poorly played ball at the feet of the Eagles' keeper set up the pressuring Abril for a wide open net, as the Panther forward supplied a top-class finish into the bottom right corner of the frame to put the home side ahead 1-0.

The sophomore's night wasn't done however as Abril hooked up with senior Jonathan Bolanos on a counter in the final three minutes of the match. Sprinting up the middle of the 18, Bolanos received a through ball from his teammate at the edge of the six before tucking the ball just underneath the diving GSU keeper, leaving Abril open once again for an easy put away on the doorstep.

Meyer would secure the clean sheet against the Eagles with a four-save performance, while 23 Panthers saw playing time on Saturday night overall. Freshmen Lonchar and MD Myers took a pair of attempts at goal during the Panthers' 2-0 victory, while 10 Purple & White newcomers made an appearance for Head Coach Zach Haines overall.

#GoHPU