WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in program history, the 10th-ranked High Point University men's soccer team competed in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament against the seventh-ranked Georgetown Hoyas in Washington, D.C. The Panthers' tremendous season came to an end on Saturday night as their come-from-behind efforts fell short to Georgetown, 2-1, in HPU's fifth all-time tournament appearance.
The Panthers finish the season with a 14-2-4 record — their most wins since the 2010 season and the most wins in a season for HPU Head Coach
Zach Haines. High Point completed the season undefeated in conference play, 9-0, earning the Big South Conference Regular Season Championship as well as the Tournament Championship for the third time in program history winning both in the same season and 11 overall.
HPU competed in its third NCAA Tournament in four seasons and recorded its second win in an NCAA Tournament game in program history with a round of 32 victory against West Virginia, 3-2, at Vert Stadium to advance to the third round.
Head Coach Zach Haines: "Thank you to this amazing group of seniors. We love them and are going to miss them like crazy. I'm so proud of the young men they have become and the impact they have made on everyone at HPU. We came up a little short tonight against a great team in the Sweet 16, but we showed all season long that we belong in a different conversation moving forward. I am so proud of my staff and my student-athletes. I know there is more to come."
Site: Shaw Field
Score: #10 High Point 1, #7 Georgetown 2
Records: High Point (14-2-4), Georgetown (14-3-4)
It was the second time HPU faced off against Georgetown this season, with the first matchup coming in the home season opener in a game that the Panthers won, 2-1, behind a brace from
Daniel Lugo.
In the rematch on Saturday,
Josh Caron kept the game scoreless in the eighth minute after getting his hands under the ball for the save after a Georgetown shot on goal.
The Hoyas got on the scoreboard first in the 16th minute. A cross inside the goal box found the right foot of Mitchell Baker as he kicked the ball into the back of the net.
Caron prevented another score attempt from Georgetown. The Hoyas made their way to the far post endline and struck the ball at goal, with Caron deflecting the attempt for his second save of the game.
HPU had a great opportunity to score an equalizing goal in the 38th minute.
Prosper Adagani pushed the ball ahead to
Celestin Blondel, who took a few dribbles before striking the ball toward goal, but directly to the hands of the goalkeeper for the save.
The Hoyas went into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage. The Hoyas tallied six total shots and three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes of action compared to one shot and one shot on goal from the Panthers. The Hoyas held the Panthers to one corner kick compared to their four.
HPU came out attacking in the first seven minutes of the second half with four total shots, but no attempt was better than a free kick taken by
Jefferson Amaya as he kicked the ball past the Georgetown wall and to the goalkeepers' hands.
Caron made his third save in the 54th minute to keep the game notched at 1-0.
In the 59th minute, the Panthers had another great opportunity at goal.
Koven Johnson placed a beautiful through ball to
Mo Guettel, who one-timed the ball with his right foot, but not before the goalkeeper dove on it for the save.
A tremendous defensive team effort from HPU kept the game at 1-0. Georgetown drilled a ball at goal, but
Noah Behrmann jumped in front of Caron to deflect the ball back to the Hoyas as they took another shot on goal, which this time Caron dove in front of the ball for the save.
The Hoyas added to their score in the 61st minute as Zach Zengue fired a missile for the 2-0 lead.
Caron had another incredible save in the 82nd minute. Georgetown drilled an open shot in the penalty box at goal, which Caron was able to block for his fourth save of the game.
HPU cut down Georgetown's lead in the 89th minute. Adagani was fouled right outside of the penalty arc, setting up a second free kick opportunity for Amaya, who missed his first opportunity earlier in the game, but had fired a free kick into the back of the net in the regular season against Gardner-Webb.
The result was no different as Amaya lined up for the kick and drilled a laser to the left post as the ball deflected off the post and into the back of the net for Amaya's fourth goal of the season to cut down Georgetown's lead 2-1.
The Panthers attempted to convert an equalizer goal in the final minute and 38 seconds, but weren't able to find paydirt.
HPU recorded 11 total shots and four shots on goal compared to Georgetown's 13 total shots and six shots on goal. Caron tallied four saves.
#GoHPU
