GREENSBORO, N.C. — No excuse was going to keep
Bri Davis off the pitch Wednesday night for the High Point University women's soccer team.
In a cross-town rivalry game at UNC Greensboro, the redshirt junior was determined to do whatever it took to lace up her boots alongside her teammates.
"It's been a long preseason, so you pick up injuries here and there," Davis, who wasn't sure if she'd even play Wednesday, said. "I went to see our athletic trainer Christine (Olert) and she helped me in the recovery process to get ready to play.
"And then I said, 'Hey, just play my left,' and that's what kind of what happened. I just ended up shooting with my left," she added with a smile.
It's safe to say that Davis can shoot with her left or right foot now after her left-footed screamer in the 78th minute — coming on her lone shot in 29 minutes off the bench — lifted the Panthers to their first victory of the season, a 1-0 stunner over the Spartans.
Site: UNCG Soccer Stadium
Score: High Point 1, UNC Greensboro 0
Records: High Point (1-1-1), UNCG (1-2-0)
Head coach Aaron McGuiness: "Bri has a tremendous mentality. Since I've been here, she has had starting roles and has come off the bench. When she has come off the bench, she's added that little piece that we've needed at the right time. Full credit to her with how she handled coming off the bench and showing that she can impact the game the way she did."
"The last couple of games we've played really well," McGuiness added, "and that fight and determination paid off tonight. Full credit to the girls because they stuck to our plan and they executed it well. It was a big win for us. It's always nice to get that win on the board and hopefully there's more to come with that."
Before
Gianna Simon recorded her first collegiate assist on Davis' first goal of the season, the Panthers were threatening after a scoreless first half.
Lilly Neubauer and
Tessa Carlin had chances in the second half, but were just a touch off from scoring.
Meanwhile,
Ellyn Casto registered her second straight start and was lights out. The graduate transfer from the University of San Diego collected save after save, racking up seven total including key ones late in each of the halves.
A strong defensive first half — paired with a powerful half-time talk — rolled over into the final 45 minutes of play. With 12 minutes to spare, it was evident the match was one for the taken.
And it was the Panthers who took dibs, winning not only their first game of this season but all-time at the UNCG Soccer Stadium in the eighth away matchup and 14th since 2005.
"This was a moment that we all needed," Daivs said. "It's something we talked about at halftime, and I think one of the big things we've been talking about is, 'Not just winning a portion of the half but winning an entirety of the half.'
"I think we knew we needed to change that in the second half, so we did and ultimately it paid off for us."
Up Next: The Panthers finish their three-game road trip with a match at Appalachian State Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m.
#GoHPU
