CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Facing the first of four top-25 matchups scheduled for 2019, High Point University men's soccer took No. 21 Charlotte to the brink on Monday night in a 1-0 final. In a tightly held defensive battle, the 49ers' goal just before the halftime break proved to be the difference maker, as the Panthers' record sits at 1-1 after the opening week of the current campaign.

Charlotte reeled off the first six shots of the evening, but a pair of saves from starting Panther goalkeeper Keegan Meyer helped keep the Purple & White level through the opening 20 minutes of play. Defender Nick Phipps was the first to test the 49ers' goaltender during the 32nd, however the junior's first scoring opportunity was steered away in what remained a scoreless affair. 

With the match looking likely to reach halftime all even, the hosting 49ers broke the scoreless draw during the 43rd on a goal from junior midfielder Cooper Nugent. Playing from behind, the Panthers continued to press for the equalizer in the middle stages of the second half, producing three unanswered shots before the 70th minute. Forward Alex Abril and midfielder Ryan Inman collected back-to-back chances with roughly 20 minutes remaining on the clock, but the pair's opportunities would go wanting, thanks to a pair of blocks from the 49er defense. 

Abril would see his second and third attempts of the night denied by the Charlotte defense as well, with the freshman tying for a match-high three attempts at net. Inman's shot on goal from a corner in the 86th would result in the final stop of the night, as time would run out on the Panthers' surging offensive attack and end in a 1-0 loss for Head Coach Zach Haines' side.

The Panthers continue to face some of the top talent in the country this following Saturday, with HPU traveling to Charlottesville for their match with No. 12 Virginia. High Point has stood across from the Cavaliers in just one regular season match prior to this weekend, falling to UVA by a final of 2-1 in 2012.

#GoHPU