WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a rematch of last season's Sweet Sixteen game in the nation's capital, the High Point University men's soccer team fell to Georgetown on the road Friday night, 5-1.
Site: Shaw Field
Score: #23 High Point 1, #4 Georgetown 5
Records: High Point (2-3-1), Georgetown (5-1-1)
Head Coach Zach Haines: "We are in a challenging period right now. All of this will help us later in the season. We are disappointed with the results at the moment, and we know we have to keep getting better. I'm confident that we will learn and apply the lessons needed to put us in a stronger position moving forward."
The Hoyas struck first in the seventh minute, scoring to take an early 1-0 lead.
HPU had its best opportunity at an equalizer in the 23rd minute.
Aidan Morrison chipped a ball over the defense and into the box toward
Daniel Lugo at the far post. Lugo took a strike near goal, but the ball went inches wide of the left post.
Georgetown added to its lead in the 31st minute with a goal, giving the Hoyas a 2-0 advantage.
After 45 minutes of action, the Panthers totaled six shots and earned one corner kick.
Out of half, the Panthers'
Nick Sarantakos had a break away scoring chance before tangling up with the defender outside of the box. The HPU coaching staff challenged for a foul and potential red card, but it was waved off.
Georgetown responded with two goals to extend its lead into the 53rd minute.
HPU recorded its first two shots on goal in the 50th minute. A pair of corner kicks found the foot of Sarantakos, who got two clean looks at goal, but the Georgetown goalkeeper saved both attempts.
Lugo ended the Panthers' scoring drought in the 62nd minute, cutting HPU's deficit down. Lugo lined up for a free kick inside the penalty box arc and curled the ball around Georgetown's five-man wall and to the upper-left corner of the net for his third goal of the season.
Josh Caron came up with an incredible save in the 74th minute to keep the Panthers within three goals. A Georgetown through ball created an open opportunity at net for the Hoyas, but Caron deflected the attempt to prevent the score. Caron finished the match with six saves on 17 shots faced.
Georgetown added another goal in the 77th minute. The Panthers recorded 16 total shots and earned eight corner kicks.
Up Next:
HPU closes out its road trip in Davidson, N.C., for a match against the Wildcats on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m.
#GoHPU
