HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University men's soccer team earned its first victory as they took down East Tennessee State University, 1-0, on Wednesday night.
Site: Vert Stadium
Score: High Point 1, ETSU 0
Records: High Point (1-2-2), ETSU (1-3-2)
Head Coach Zach Haines: "I'm really proud of our group and the way they went about it tonight. They were hungry to match their performance with the result. They've learned a lot and came together in a great way over the last few weeks against a really challenging opening slate. I believe everything that we have learned and the things that we needed to prioritize came together tonight. It was a really dominant performance with and without the ball. Really happy for the guys on the work they have put in as they have also been bought in."
For a first half that saw only two HPU shots, but five corner kicks, the Panthers created many chances for themselves to put the ball in the net. The Buccaneers sent a few shots
Josh Caron's way but none that got past him and the Panther defense.
High Point earned a lot of restarts that they did not take advantage of, but it was clear the Panthers were in control all half. It was scoreless after 45 minutes of play.
The start of the second half was more dominant for HPU as they raised it up a notch to create dangerous chances. Five minutes into the second half, The Panthers found themselves interrupting the Bucs defense as
Alfred Baafi came hustling down field to intercept a mishandled ball. Baafi continued to speed past defenders in the box as the keeper went for a slide, but Baafi was able to put a magnificent touch on the ball as it found the back of the net. What ended up being the game winning goal was Baafi's first goal as a Panther in the 50th minute.
The Panthers had a few other chances to increase its lead with a few shots that just hit the crossbar.
Fynn Geigle fired one in the 68
th minute after he ran through the ETSU defense to rip his lone shot of the night.
HPU's defense and the four saves in the second half from Caron was enough to seal the deal to earn their first victory of the season.
Up Next: High Point will welcome Florida Gulf Coast University to Vert Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 12:00 p.m.
#GoHPU
