HIGH POINT, N.C. – In a rematch of last season's Big South Conference Championship game, the ninth-ranked and top-seeded High Point University men's soccer team won its fourth Big South Conference Tournament title in program history, third in the last four years, and fourth in the last six years, in dominant fashion behind a 3-0 shutout win over No. 2 seed Gardner-Webb on Saturday night.
All three goals came in the second half as
Daniel Lugo,
Alfred Baafi and
Noah Behrmann knocked in scores to help clinch High Point's 11th overall Big South Championship to complete an undefeated conference season, 9-0.
It is the third time in program history that the Panthers have won both the Big South regular season and tournament championships in the same season as the team's 13 wins are the most the Panthers have won in a season since 2019.
With the win, the Panthers clinch an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament for their fourth appearance in the College Cup and first since 2023. The Panthers will await their fate as the Selection Show, streamed on
NCAA.com, will take place on Monday, November 17, at 1 p.m., to reveal HPU's seeding and schedule.
Site: Vert Stadium
Score: #9 High Point 3, Gardner-Webb 0
Records: High Point (13-1-4), Gardner-Webb (13-3-2)
Head Coach Zach Haines: "Felt great for the guys because they played extremely well, and they earned it. They completely deserved the results in both games. They played at a really high level, and they won with class on and off the field, and I'm incredibly proud of them the way that they've handled this entire season. We're just excited to keep this rolling. We want to keep playing for as long as possible."
Celestin Blondel had a great chance to score in the 16th minute after
Alfred Baafi found Blondel cutting towards the goal. Blondel took a left-footed strike at goal, but not before the Runnin' Bulldogs' goalkeeper jumped in front of the ball for the save.
The score remained scoreless at the end of the first 45 minutes of action between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the Big South Conference Tournament. HPU had one shot on goal in the first half while holding Gardner-Webb to none. Both teams had five total shots, while the Panthers totaled three corner-kicks compared to the Runnin' Bulldogs' two.
"We were happy with the first half. We felt we were in control. We felt confident. We limited them and plunged their chances," Haines said. "We had a few big ones, and we knew we just needed to push a little bit more. If so, we felt great about how we were going to be able to execute in the second half."
The 56th minute came around, and it was Lugo who scored the game's first goal and what proved to be the game-winner, his NCAA-leading seventh this season. A goal kick taken by
Josh Caron soared downfield to Blondel, who controlled the ball before chipping the ball over the defense to the area of Lugo as he fought for the ball, finally corralled it after the GWU defender headed it down, and then kicked in the goal from inside the penalty arc with his left foot to the back left corner for the 1-0 advantage.
"Once again, the guys are just making me look good," Lugo said. "We're all working hard. All credit to them. They put me in the right spots and I'm just trying to do my job."
Lugo's magnificent season continues as he tallied his second goal against Gardner-Webb this season, the second of the Big South Tournament and 14th of the season, which is tied for fifth in NCAA Division I and tied for second in HPU single-season history since the Panthers moved to Division I in 1999.
"Scoring those goals just felt great," Lugo said. "Felt a little extra special than some of the other ones I've gotten, and I hope to keep it going as the postseason extends."
HPU added onto its lead not even eight minutes later.
Brendan Krueger took a strike at goal that was blocked by the goalkeeper, but he followed the miss with a cross into the goal box to Baafi as he leaped in the air to head home the 2-0 lead in the 64th minute for Baafi's second straight game scoring a goal, and his third of the season. Krueger was tabbed with his seventh assist of the season, tied for first on the team and second in the conference.
The Panthers matched their score total from their first head-to-head matchup against Gardner-Webb this season on October 25 with their third goal in the 70th minute.
Noah Behrmann found
Brendan Krueger on the far side of the field as he took one dribble before giving the ball right back to a cutting Behrmann, who one-timed the ball past the diving goalkeeper's hand for his first career collegiate goal and three-goal lead.
"Honestly, it's a long time coming," Behrmann said. "My last three years have been filled with setbacks and injuries, but to finally get it, especially in a game like this, just means so much."
As the clock ticked down to zero, the Panthers rushed on the field and made their way to the crowd to celebrate their shutout 3-0 win and the Big South Championship trophy.
"It's amazing," Lugo said. "Getting to share this achievement with such a great group of guys means everything. We worked so hard, and it's just a blessing to share this moment."
"It's fulfilling because we have such an incredible group of people, the staff and the players," Haines added. "I love every single one of these guys in there. They're just fantastic student- athletes."
It was a dominant second half for the Panthers as HPU outshot Gardner-Webb, eight to four, and shots on goal, four to one, as High Point recorded 13 total shots and five shots on goal compared to Gardner-Webb's nine total shots and one shot on goal. The Panthers also held the Runnin' Bulldogs to two corner-kicks while recording four themselves.
"We came out flying in the second half," Lugo said. "I think we just kind of let loose. Played the way we knew how to play, and did what we've been doing all season. Getting that first goal took the edge off, and then we were able to kill it from there."
Josh Caron tallied yet another clean sheet for his ninth of the season and eighth straight against Big South opponents. His nine clean sheets try the program record.
After the game, the Panthers were awarded the Big South trophy on the field, and the All-Tournament team was announced following the trophy ceremony.
Daniel Lugo was named the MVP of the Big South Conference Tournament.
Noah Behrmann,
Alfred Baafi and
Celestin Blondel were named to the All-Tournament team.
"It's such a cool feeling, and that's why tournament games, knockout games are amazing because it's just different," Haines said. "It's a unique experience, and when you come out on the right side of it, it's something that you cherish and you remember for a long time."
#GoHPU
