CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The High Point University women's soccer team capped its season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 1 seed University of Virginia on Friday night.
Site: Klockner Field
Score: High Point 0, Virginia 5
Records: High Point (5-10-5, 3-3-2), Virginia (13-3-4, 6-2-2)
Head Coach Aaron McGuiness: "We knew tonight was always going to be a really challenging match. Virginia is a top-class program, and I give them a lot of credit for the speed they play with. Our girls did everything they could and battled till the end. I'm extremely proud of them, not just in this game. For the season, they went through some rough patches early on and they stuck together and really fought through it and were rewarded at the end of it. This season is just a tale of character, resilience, and growth. They've shown every ounce of it to be standing here today competing in the first round."
Graduate goalkeeper,
Aubrey McKessy closed her collegiate career with a brilliant performance, recording a career-high 14 saves against the top-seeded Cavaliers. Facing 41 total shots and 19 on frame, McKessy put on a show to keep HPU within reach.
Virginia struck first in the 13th minute, and again in the 36th to take a 2-0 lead into the half. High Point's backline made some amazing blocks that would have found the back of the net.
Coming out for the second half, High Point continued to see waves of pressure, with McKessy making four saves in the opening minutes. The Cavaliers added goals in the 61st minute, 66th minute on a penalty, and a late strike in the 87th to close out the scoring.
Ally Ruiz recorded HPU's lone shot of the night in the 81st minute with High Point creating a few chances late in the match.
Though the result ends the Panthers' season, HPU closes the year as Big South Champions, after riding momentum from the conference tournament to the NCAA Tournament.
#GoHPU
