HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's soccer team fell in an emotional regular-season finale versus Gardner-Webb University, 1-0, after a pregame ceremony honoring the late Holden Trent Friday night at Vert Stadium. Following the match, Trent's family presented the Big South Conference regular-season championship trophy to the team.
 

Playing for more than a match.

Following tonight's game, the Big South Regular Season Championship Trophy was presented to @HPUMSOCCER by the family of the late Holden Trent. #BigSouthMSOC | @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/JHXNwQt4IR

— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) November 2, 2024

 
Site: Vert Stadium
Score: High Point 0, Gardner-Webb 1
Records: High Point (10-3-2, 6-1-0), Gardner-Webb (10-3-3, 5-0-2)
 
Head Coach Zach Haines: "It's tough for the guys because they've been through so much the last 10 days. We just weren't quite at it tonight and Gardner-Webb did really well in the moments that mattered. I am proud of the regular season we have had and winning another trophy among other huge milestones for the program. I am certain our team will show incredible resilience and come back better than ever for the postseason. We have time for a mental and physical reset, and will for sure be prepared for next Sunday at home in the semifinals."
 
Prior to tonight's match with the Runnin' Bulldogs, High Point University held a special pregame ceremony to honor Holden Trent who tragically passed away last Saturday. Both teams, High Point and Gardner-Webb, got together at midfield surrounding a chair with Trent's jersey and gloves on it followed by a moment of applause in his memory.
 
Gardner-Webb snapped High Point's 17-game unbeaten streak at home with tonight's loss, while serving the Panthers their first Big South loss on home turf since 2019. This is Coach Haines' second loss in the Big South in his five seasons under the helm. The Runnin' Bulldogs earned their first victory over the Panthers dating all the way back to 2011 in Boiling Springs.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored the game winning goal in the 16th minute as they were awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the box. They managed to hold the Panthers offense the rest of the way even though High Point piled on the shots in the second half.
 
Despite HPU's 13-7 shot advantage, Gardner-Webb held on to win and secure the No. 2 seed heading into next week's tournament.
 
With the Big South Regular Season Championship coming back to High Point, the Panthers are the No. 1 seed heading into the tournament and will get a bye to the semifinals.


 
Up Next: High Point will wait to see who they play in the Big South semifinals as that match is scheduled for Sunday, November 10 at Vert Stadium.