RALEIGH, N.C. – The High Point University men's soccer team fell short to NC State, 3-2, in the 2024 season opener.
 
Site: Dail Soccer Field
Score: High Point 2, NC State 3
Records: High Point (0-1-0), NC State (1-0-0)
 
Head Coach Zach Haines: "It's a tough one to take tonight because you go ahead twice in the game, and we did more than enough to get a result and win the game. The reality is we let ourselves down in some key moments late in the first half. Giving them the equalizer and then the game winner with 90 seconds to go. We got some youth, and some inexperience and a bit of naive defending our box. We got to clean that up and learn quick. We need to get guys in a position where they can be successful in those moments"
 
The Panthers grabbed the lead late in the first half after battling for possession with the Wolfpack. Brendan Krueger netted the first HPU goal of the season in the 29th minute as he put himself in the perfect position to take the rebound off the keeper's hands after Alfred Baafi fired a shot from the corner. Krueger found the ball and with his knee as he was able to put it in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
 
The Wolfpack were able to get two shots off before they found the back of the net for the equalizer in the 41st minute.
 
High Point came out for the second half pushing to take the lead back as they did just that in the 54^th minute as Frankie DeFrancesco recorded his first collegiate goal off a perfect feed from Jefferson Amaya's free kick near the corner flag. The Panthers led 2-1.
 
"Frankie was awesome," said Haines. "He is going to be such a great player for us. He is going to have a huge career here. He's worked so hard and has been up for it since day one. It doesn't matter that he's a freshman, it's just the way he plays."
 
Four shots were fired off by the Wolfpack in 12 minutes before they tied the game at two in the 66th minute.
 
As the second half started to wind down, both teams started getting physical. Four yellow cards were dished out, one for HPU, and three for the Wolfpack.
 
NC State found its way back on top late in the 88th minute as Vasumzi Pamana put the Wolfpack ahead as that goal was enough to hold off the Panthers till the final whistle.
 
Up Next: The Panthers will welcome Davidson College for its home opener on Tuesday, August 27 at 7:00 pm.