GREENSBORO, N.C. – The fifth-ranked High Point University men's soccer team fell to No. 23 UNC Greensboro in a top-25 matchup on the road Wednesday night, 2-0. It was the Panthers' first loss of the season in the team's best start since 2012. 

 

It was the 18th all-time matchup between the two rival squads as the Spartans earn just their second victory over the Panthers since 2008.  

 

Site: UNCG Soccer Stadium 

Score: #5 High Point 0, #23 UNC Greensboro 2 

Records: High Point (7-1-3), UNC Greensboro (7-2-2)  

 

Head Coach Zach Haines: "There's a reason why UNCG has been as high as #10 in the country this season. They're a good team. They finished their first two big chances, and we missed our first two. Overall, they managed the game much better than us tonight. It will be good for us to take ownership for this performance and learn from it to get better for the rest of the season." 

 

The match got underway with a pair of saves in the first 18 minutes, including an incredible leaping finger-tip block from Josh Caron kept the game knotted at zero. 

 

The Spartans put themselves up in the 21st minute with a goal, and then added with another score to close out the first half ahead 2-0. 

 

HPU had a few great looks on goal in the half, but no better attempt than in the 23rd minute. A Beau Yantz cross attempt in the goal box found a diving Alfred Baafi in traffic, who got a touch on the ball before the shot was blocked by the Spartans.  

 

The second half got off to a slower start for both teams, but Caron saw a lot of action behind the net as the half progressed with three tremendous saves to keep the score within reach. Caron finished the match with five saves. 

 

HPU saw an uptick in offensive chances over the final 45 minutes, recording eight shots and three shots on goal while holding UNCG to four shots and just one shot on goal. Chris Niblock, Mo Guettel, and Noah Behrmann all had shot attempts to try and cut the deficit in half. The Panthers also converted three corner kicks compared to the Spartans' one in the second half. 

 

But unfortunately, the Panthers couldn't find scores to equalize the match. 

Up Next: The Panthers look to get back in the winning column as they return home after a four-game road trip for a Big South Conference matchup against USC Upstate on Sunday, October 12 at 6 p.m.