HIGH POINT, N.C. – The 16th-ranked High Point University men's soccer team took the field for its season opener and did not disappoint in front of the home crowd on Thursday, defeating the Long Island University Sharks, 5-2, behind three second-half goals and five different scorers.
"We have a lot of good players, but at the same time, we're a family,"
Enzo Rekka said. "We all want to play, and we all compete, but off the field, we're family. We're like brothers, and when you put that on the field as well, you just connect so well."
Site: Vert Stadium
Score: #16 High Point 5, LIU 2
Records: High Point (1-0-0), LIU (0-1-0)
Head Coach Zach Haines: "We definitely excelled in our attacking play. Lots of variety, lots of different threats. I mean, obviously, five goals scored says something, but I thought even just in the run of play, a lot of guys were dangerous, a lot of guys with good movement being threatening and getting involved, so that was a huge plus. I think the lack of transition defending was not at our best in those moments, but it's something to work on and the guys know it. They are very well aware and it's something we have to clean up. Above all, the reactions were awesome."
The Panthers had several great opportunities at goal in the opening minutes, but HPU was unable to string together a score early. After LIU notched a goal in the eighth minute, HPU quickly answered two minutes later.
Noah Behrmann placed an incredible ball upfield to
Alfred Baafi, who beat a defender before netting in the equalizer score to the bottom left corner.
HPU's attack was decimating LIU the entire first half, and the pressure became too much for the Sharks as the Panthers were able to break the scoreless drought with 38 seconds remaining until halftime and take a 2-1 advantage. A Behrmann throw-in found the heel of
Nick Sarantakos as he flicked it back and found the foot of Baafi, who used his lighting speed to break away from the defense, crossing the ball into the box for
Prosper Adagani to easily tap in the score.
The Panthers racked up 10 shots, four shots on goal and nine corner kicks compared to LIU's two shots, two shots on goal and a single corner kick after the first 45 minutes of action.
It did not take long for the Panthers to add to their lead. Less than two minutes into the second half, a defensive stop from Baafi made its way to Behrmann, who found Rekka, and that is where the magic started. Rekka took a single dribble before hooking the ball with his left foot from well outside the box to where the goalkeeper could only watch it soar past and into the net, giving HPU the 3-1 advantage. It was Rekka's first goal in Purple & White after transferring from Gannon University.
"I love my left foot. I love to use it," Rekka said smiling, "and then once I got that ball, everybody was just screaming, 'shoot, shoot, shoot,' and I just took my time and then whipped it."
LIU responded with its own goal in the 51st minute to bring the Sharks' deficit to one goal, but once again the Panthers countered 40 seconds later. Baafi continued his press, taking a shot at goal, which was deflected, but
Daniel Lugo followed the miss with a sliding score as HPU regained its two-goal lead, 4-2.
The Panthers were not done causing damage to the LIU defense.
Kieran Smith popped the ball upfield, which hit the head of Adagani and allowed Sarantakos to break free from the defense, leaving a one-on-one matchup with the goalkeeper. Sarantakos won the battle by footing the ball to the back right corner of the net for his first career collegiate goal, extending HPU's lead to 5-2. It marked Smith's first collegiate assist to set up his fellow rookie.
The three-goal advantage proved to be more than enough as the Panthers secured their first win of the season. HPU totaled 21 shots, nine shots on goal and 13 corners, while holding LIU to five shots, three on goal and two corner kicks.
Up Next:
The Panthers will hit the road to Charlottesville, Va., for their first away match against No. 11 Virginia on Monday, August 24 at 6 p.m.
#GoHPU
