HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Big South Conference has announced its Top Returners to Watch List for the 2025 season as High Point University's Sabba Haghgoo, Aubrey McKessy, Kari Powell, Kasey Resker, and Caroline Dewey were named to the list.

"It's nice to see our players being recognized in preseason awards," said Head Coach Aaron McGuiness. "They all have big roles to play with our program and these nominations are a nice confidence booster going into the season."
 
#0 Aubrey McKessy, Gr., Goalkeeper

The reigning Big South Newcomer of the Year, McKessy started 17 games in net last season and posted 1.06 goals against average and a .727 save percentage on her way to 48 saves. She secured her first win and shutout in the Purple & White versus West Georgia in August as she went on her way to lead the Big South with eight shutouts. McKessy will help lead the 2025 Panthers from the box as she will be a staple on both sides of the ball.

#4 Sabba Haghgoo, So., Forward

Haghgoo started in 13 of her 19 appearances while logging 1013 minutes. A native of Crofton, Md., Haghgoo was as impactful as the next in her first season last year. Of her six goals, five came within Big South play. Haghgoo's trio of game-winning goals came against Winthrop, Presbyterian and Charleston Southern, while the other two were versus Gardner-Webb and UNC Asheville. Her first career goal came against West Georgia in August to jumpstart an impressive rookie campaign. Haghgoo is the fourth Panther to win Big South Freshman of the Year and the first since Salomé Prat in 2020-2021 as she joins Skyler Prillaman (2018) and Sam Gerhart (2019).

#5 Caroline Dewey, So., Defender

The Georgia native, Dewey started in all nine games she played in for the Panthers. Registering 699 minutes on the pitch and tallied four shots. She fired a season-high two shots against UNC Asheville during her 86 minutes on the field.

#18 Kari Powell, R-So., Midfielder

Powell started in all 19 games during her redshirt freshman year in the Purple & White. She tallied her first collegiate goal against Presbyterian and went on to see 1,281 minutes on the pitch. She was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team as well as a spot on the CSC Academic All-District Team.
 
#24 Kasey Resker, So., Defender

Resker made 15 appearances during her rookie campaign in the Purple & White. In 506 minutes on the pitch, she registered three assists. Two of the three assists came during Big South play against Gardner-Webb and Winthrop. Her first assist was dished out during a matchup with West Georgia.
 
The Panthers will host No. 14 Virginia Tech on Thursday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. for the season opener at Vert Stadium.