HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Panthers showed up and showed out on Family Weekend in front of 1,859 fans on Friday night, defeating UNC Asheville 2-1 for their first Big South Conference victory.
Site: Vert Stadium
Score: High Point 2, UNC Asheville 1
Records: High Point (3-2-2) (1-0-0), UNC Asheville (4-2-1, (0-1-0)
Head Coach Zach Haines: "Happy with the result. Obviously, conference play you've got to take advantage of every single opportunity. Everything is going to be super tight every game and in the standings as the season moves along. To get started off on the right foot against, what was our main competitor last year is key. Asheville is having a strong season. We're happy with the guys tonight and the way they performed and the way they were up for the challenge from the very beginning. We are ready to keep it rolling in conference."
High Point got off to a hot start as the Panthers quickly took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.
Brendan Krueger sent a beautiful cross into the box, where
Frankie DeFrancesco placed himself perfectly to get a foot on it to give HPU the lead.
Just a few minutes later, DeFrancesco was fouled right above the box as
Jefferson Amaya, who is playing centre-back tonight, lined up to take the free kick for HPU. He took a hefty strike that went out of reach of the keeper and landed in the bottom left of the net to extend the lead to two in the 13th minute.
At the half, the Panthers were all square with Asheville with four shots a piece.
It took a bit for the Bulldogs to create some chances as the Panthers took control of the ball early in the second half. Creating a few chances with some corner kicks, but Asheville was able to keep it a two-score game.
Asheville closed the lead in the 72nd minute off an unassisted goal by Myles Endmondson. After the goal, HPU did not crack or get at all disconnected. The Panthers kept going and they were very resolute to close the game out.
Luke Snyder earned his second victory in net in as many games as he only had to make one crucial save on the night in the second half.
Amaya, DeFrancesco, and
Alfred Baafi all tallied two shots a piece, as
Chris Niblock added to the stat sheet with a shot on goal.
Up Next: High Point will return to non-conference play on the road as they will battle UNC Greensboro on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
#GoHPU
