HIGH POINT, N.C. — Three first-half goals propelled the High Point University women's soccer team en route to a 3-2 win over Winthrop University in the Big South Conference opener Saturday afternoon.
SITE: Vert Stadium
SCORE: High Point 3, Winthrop 2
RECORDS: High Point (3-3-4, 1-0), Winthrop (3-3-1, 0-1)
Head Coach Aaron McGuiness: "It's nice to get a win on the board in the first game of conference and set the standard there. Performance wise, in the first half we dominated and did very well coming into halftime, 3-1. Second half, we were too complacent, and we made silly passes and silly decisions that allowed them to get into the game and make something of it. That's something we have to work at and improve on. No conference game is going to be a walk in the park or be easy and we've got to make sure we take of business."
The Panthers' three-goal first half was the best 45 minutes HPU has registered all season as all three goals were first-time scorers.
Emily Mashinski scored the first in the 13th minute thanks to a header
Lindsey DeHaven sent from midfield after winning a goal kick. Mashinski one-touched it up and over the keeper to give HPU a lead it would never lose.
"It came off a goal kick from the goalie and Lindsey won the header like she always does so I credit Lindsey for that assist," Mashinski said, "and she played it over with the header and I just ran onto it. I just kept going, the goalie hesitated, and I got there first to put it away."
In the 26th minute,
Courtney Andruczk netted her first in Purple & White via a ball from DeHaven that she played across to the left side. The transfer from UC Santa Barbara dribbled up before placing it into the right corner for the 2-0 advantage and her first goal at HPU.
Minutes later, the Eagles cut into the deficit with a goal, but it wasn't long before DeHaven scored for herself in the 30th minute. Contributing on every goal Saturday, the junior midfielder one-touched a gorgeous feed from
Alex DePerno to give the Panthers the two-goal, half-time lead.
"I think it's important (to get off to a fast start) because in our non-conference games we haven't had a goal in the first half, and it's been one of our goals in having faster starters," Mashinski said. I think it got the ball rolling as Courtney scored then Lindsey."
The Eagles found one second-half goal, coming in the 55nd minute, but it was the only one either team would get. HPU keeper
Ellyn Casto made an impressive diving save in the final minute to keep the Panthers in front. Casto had two saves, while Winthrop's Izzy Giarrizzi had nine saves.
HPU held the advantage in shots, firing off 22 to the Eagles' five while the Panthers had 15 corners compared to a pair for the visitors.
Up Next: HPU is back home for a matchup with Big South Preseason favorite Radford University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
