MATTHEWS, N.C. – The High Point University women's soccer team advanced to the Big South Conference Championship after upsetting top-seeded Radford University, 2-1, on Thursday night at the Sportsplex at Matthews.
Site: Sportsplex at Matthews
Score: High Point 2, Radford 1
Records: High Point (5-9-4, 3-3-2), Radford (10-5-1, 7-1-0)
Head Coach Aaron McGuiness: "The players did exactly what we asked. They executed the playing extremely well and forced them to try and play through us. Radford did well to fight back and make it one all. We fought back and picked another pass off and Morgan (Wilcox) did an excellent job of taking that goal. Peyton (Gilmore) did an excellent job with the first goal, but it was a great team performance. The energy from the sideline, the effort on the field, it was excellent and they deserve to be where they are."
High Point broke through in the 32nd minute when
Bella Burr sent a long ball downfield to
Alex Murphy, who hustled to control it before crossing into the box.
Peyton Gilmore crashed the net and tapped it home to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Radford equalized in the 58th minute, as Ashley Loundermon scored off a double assist to tie the match, 1-1.
Just four minutes later, the Panthers regained the advantage. After intercepting a Radford pass,
Sabba Haghgoo played the ball ahead to
Morgan Wilcox, who found open space, beat three defenders, and buried the game-winner in the 62nd minute. The goal marked Wilcox's third of the season and secured High Point's spot in its second consecutive Big South Tournament Championship.
Goalkeeper
Aubrey McKessy tallied six saves in the victory, while Gilmore led the team with two shots.
Up Next: The Panthers will face the winner of No. 2 USC Upstate and No. 3 Longwood University on Sunday, November 9, at 1 p.m. for the Big South Championship.
#GoHPU
