BLACKSBURG, Va. — The result didn't match the effort as the High Point University women's soccer team dropped a physical match to ACC powerhouse Virginia Tech Sunday evening, 2-0.
SITE: Thompson Field
SCORE: High Point 0, Virginia Tech 2
RECORDS: High Point (1-4), VT (5-0-1)
Head Coach Aaron McGuiness: "I'm very proud of the way the team played today. We were unfortunate at times. We made one error with how we were defending and we paid for it — good teams can do that, but we are very pleased with the effort and performance that was put forward. We have to be better in the moments like the goal in the final 30 seconds. There's no excuse and that's unacceptable, but I think from the start to the end, we took it to them and we had our opportunities. We have to take advantage of those opportunities when we get them because it changes games and results."
In front of a rowdy crowd, the Panthers kept their composure and created chances all game. The opening minute saw
Tessa Carlin,
Megan Garmey and company firing off shots to kickstart a drizzly evening at Thompson Field.
Virginia Tech countered with opportunities of their own, finding a gap in the 31st minute to take a lead that held true. The Panthers continued to press and attack the Hokies' defense with scoring chances.
In the 64th minute,
Alex DePerno had a solid look on goal via a free kick but Lauren Hargrove dove out to swat the ball away. A minute later,
Courtney Andruczk crossed in a ball that was then snagged by Hargrove.
The Panthers' opportunities slimmed as time ticked away, and then the Hokies added an insurance goal in the final 30 seconds. VT had 20 shots to the Panthers' six, but the Hokies only had eight on goal while HPU had a trio.
Aubrey McKessy started her third straight game in goal and had six saves.
Up Next: The Panthers welcome UNC Greensboro to Vert Stadium for a mid-week, in-state rival match on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
