Thursday, April 8th vs UNC Asheville (High Point, N.C.) (7:00 PM)
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The High Point University Men's soccer team (9-1) (7-0) returns to action as the Panthers welcome UNC Asheville to Vert Stadium on Thursday night. HPU is coming off a dominant 5-1 win against Longwood. Alex Abril, Sebastian Chalbaud, MD Myers, and Mason Marcey all scored in the Panther victory. The win against Longwood secured the regular-season title for HPU.
Matchup History
- The Panthers lead the Bulldogs in the all-time series by a record of 23-6-2.
- HPU defeated UNC Asheville last season 4-3. Alex Abril scored twice in the Panther victory.
Across the Bench
- The Bulldogs are coming off of a 3-2 loss to Presbyterian. Taylor Durall and Izzy Garcia both scored for the Bulldogs.
- UNC Asheville is coached by Mick Giordano, who is in his first season as interim head coach of the Bulldogs.
Panthers Notes
Powerful Panthers
With the conference win, the Panthers improved to 33-3-3 in Big South play since 2016. The Panthers are now 7-0 in Big South play with wins over Gardner-Webb, Radford, Campbell, Winthrop, Presbyterian, USC Upstate, and now Longwood.
Panthers in the Polls
HPU is in all three polls this week including 15 in the Top Drawer National Media Poll, the Panthers are fifth in the region for the United Soccer Coaches and are ranked 22nd in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
Chalbuad Makes Weekly Honors
Sebastian Chalbaud scored two goals in the Big South Conference regular-season clinching win. A season-high for the junior transfer. Chalbaud scored the first and second goals of the contest scoring both goals in the first half to pace the Panthers to their four-goal win. He has also been named to the Top Drawer National team this week after his brace on Saturday night becoming the third Panther to receive this honor this season.
Keep Holden' On
Holden Trent played 80 minutes in the 5-1 victory over Longwood. Trent is now tied for 9th in the nation for shutouts with five shutouts in 10 games. Trent has recently been selected as a member of the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week. He is the second Panther to be chosen to a Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week joining Myers.
House Call
MD Myers has been on fire this season. The Delran, New Jersey native is leading the nation in goals per game. Myers currently has 11 goals through HPU's ten games. Myers has scored braces in six out of 10 games.
Haines on Last Time
"I am proud of the guys, they did it in style tonight, they were hungry they did not want to rest on their laurels and make this is a difficult game and something we had to grind out," Coach Zach Haines said after the 5-1 win. "They wanted to come out and put it to rest early they played so well tonight on both sides of the ball, they played so well, had a great start, and allowed us to play everyone in the group. This is well deserved because these guys have all worked so hard top-to-bottom. In the game that clinches a conference championship to see your entire squad out there enjoying and playing minutes is a great feeling. I am extremely proud."
Limiting Chances
Throughout 10 games the Panthers have only allowed five goals. The Panther defense is holding opponents to a .074 shooting percentage with only 29 of the opponents' shots registered being on goal. HPU is outscoring opponents 29-5 which currently leads the nation in goal differential.
Bring 'em Back
High Point seniors Mason Marcey & Nick Phipps announced on social media earlier this season that they are coming back for the Fall of 2021 season. This means the Panthers will return the entire roster from this spring & add a Top 25 recruiting class into the mix.
#GoHPU
