MATTHEWS, N.C. – The High Point University women's soccer team captured its eighth Big South Tournament title in program history, advancing past No. 2 seed USC Upstate after a 1-1 draw and a 7-6 victory in penalty kicks on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers became the first No. 4 seed to win the Big South Championship since 1998.
Site: Sportsplex at Matthews
Score: High Point 1 (7), USC Upstate 1 (6)
Records: High Point (5-9-5, 3-3-2), USC Upstate (10-6-3, 6-2-0)
Head Coach Aaron McGuiness: "I mean, what a game. The ladies stepped up when everything was against them—a red card, and an unfortunate one at that. Early on, to stay composed and keep battling the entire way through it, then to have a PK called against us—it just shows a tremendous amount of character. At halftime, we told them, 'You've got 45 minutes to leave everything on the field.' Regardless of the result, I'm proud that they did exactly that. I couldn't have asked for anything more."
An early red card in the sixth minute on
Joellie Giquinto put High Point a player down for the entire match. Despite the disadvantage, the Panthers held strong defensively, anchored by several key saves from
Aubrey McKessy and gritty team defense inside the box.
A handball in the 30th minute called on
Kari Powell awarded the Spartans a penalty kick, which Savannah Noll converted to give USC Upstate a 1-0 lead.
With just 47 seconds left in regulation,
Alex Murphy lined up for a corner kick, desperate to keep HPU's season alive. Her service into the box was deflected out to
Faye Battersby, whose shot through traffic was saved—but Powell pounced on the rebound and buried it for the equalizer, her second goal of the season and perhaps the most important of her career. The late goal sent the match into overtime.
After two scoreless 10-minute golden goal periods, the championship came down to penalty kicks. Every Panther who stepped up buried their shot: Ruiz,
Thea Oberhoff,
Sabba Haghgoo,
Peyton Gilmore,
Kasey Resker,
Gianna Rizzo, and
Ellie Hammer all converted.
On USC Upstate's seventh attempt, McKessy made the championship-winning save, diving to her right to deny the Spartans and secure the title. The Panthers celebrated as Big South Champions once again, advancing on penalties 7-6.
High Point claims its eighth Big South Championship and earns the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. McKessy was named the Big South Tournament Most Valuable Player, while
Coryn McDonnell,
Bella Burr, and Powell were tabbed to the All-Tournament Team.
Up Next: HPU will await its NCAA Tournament destination during the Selection Show on Monday, November 10 at 4:00 p.m., streamed live on NCAA.com.
#GoHPU
