HIGH POINT, N.C. — The second annual Holden Trent Community Cup took place on Saturday at Truist Point Stadium, the home of Carolina Core FC, as High Point University and the University of North Carolina played to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
The Tar Heels edged the Panthers in a penalty kick shootout, 4-2, in the Carolina Cup spring game that benefited the Goal 13 Foundation and the legacy of former HPU standout Holden Trent. UNC presented HPU with a canvas painting of Trent following the match as the two teams took a group photo to commemorate the notable event.
At halftime, Trent's family recognized HPU senior
Anthony Ramirez as the second honoree of the Holden Trent Memorial Scholarship. A week prior, Annie B. Williams Carter, Trent's mother, surprised Ramirez on a zoom call to break the news to her son's teammate within both the Philadelphia Union ranks and at HPU.
"This scholarship is given to a first-generation college student on the men's soccer team and to a person who also exhibits strong character and leadership on and off the field," Williams Carter said on the zoom to Ramirez. "We are so excited that you (
Anthony Ramirez) are this recipient. I'm really excited that someone Holden knew is getting this award again. It means a lot to me."
Trent's mother presented the award to Ramirez on the field at halftime of the match, where the Panthers were leading 1-0 thanks to an
Aidan Morrison goal in the 29th minute. It was a moment that Ramirez earned through the strength and courage he has shown representing his family and HPU alike how Holden carried himself. Ramirez joins
Jefferson Amaya, who earned the inaugural honor, as the two Holden Trent Memorial Scholarship recipients.
"It's not just that he is a first-generation college student here at High Point; he also embodies the characteristics that Holden did," HPU Head Coach
Zach Haines said. "He has been through a lot of adversity. He's been extremely resilient and he's dedicated a lot and sacrificed a lot to this program going into his fourth year by being fully committed and doing everything he can to develop and grow as a player and person, which is exactly what Holden did better than anyone. So, we are thrilled for Anthony, for the Goal 13 Foundation and the Holden Trent Memorial Scholarship."
The Tar Heels knotted the score 10 minutes into the second half, making it an exciting finish for those in attendance.
Roman Holt and
Nick Sarantakos netted their PK attempts, while
Josh Caron stopped a big-time shot; however, UNC converted two others while HPU wasn't able to convert.
High Point will continue its spring slate on Wednesday, April 1 with an international friendly against England's Sixteen93 FC at Vert Stadium, beginning at 2 p.m.
#GoHPU
