HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point University women's soccer team opened the season Thursday night, hosting Liberty University and ultimately falling to the Flames, 3-1.
SITE: Vert Stadium
SCORE: High Point 1, Liberty 3
RECORDS: High Point (0-1), Liberty (1-0)
Head Coach Aaron McGuiness: "We started slow; it was a disappointing first half. Liberty is a good team, and we can't give them that sort of freedom. The second-half message was that we must be tougher and grittier. It was a better performance but when you give a team like that the start they hard, it's tough to come back from. So, we live and learn. It's early in the season and that's what we aim to do from it is improve."
Lindsey DeHaven netted the Panthers' first goal of the season on a set piece in the 63rd minute. The senior headed in the goal via
Megan Garmey, who sent the ball into a crowded box to find DeHaven off a free kick feed from senior captain
Alex DePerno, to cut the deficit to one, 2-1.
HPU held the Flames in scoreless for the next 18 minutes, trying to knot the score at 2-all; however, a Liberty goal at the 82nd minute pushed the lead farther out of reach.
Maddie Iro had five saves in her High Point debut in net, while
Peyton Gilmore and
Kari Powell started their first games in Purple & White. Six freshmen — Iro,
Abigail Dibble,
Sabba Haghgoo,
Morgan Wilcox,
Kasey Resker and
Nicole Edelman — all earned their first minutes as college student-athletes. Wilcox recorded a shot in the second half.
Up Next: The Panthers head to No. 5 Clemson for a match with the Tigers on Sunday, August 18 at 5 p.m.
