HIGH POINT, N.C. – It was a top-10 matchup on Tuesday night as ninth-ranked High Point University squared off against its second top-10 ranked opponent of the season, 10thranked West Virginia University, in the program’s fourth ever battle against one another and the first in more than a decade. Led by first-half goals from Brendan Krueger and Daniel Lugo, the Panthers continue their unbeaten streak with a 2-2 draw.
Site: Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium
Score: No. 9 High Point 2, No. 10 West Virginia 2
Records: High Point (5-0-3), West Virginia (5-1-2)
Head Coach Zach Haines: “It was a really good game. Both teams doing everything they could to win. Disappointed with their equalizer because we mismanaged a corner, but overall our fight and mentality was outstanding. A result against a top-10 team in the country on the road is another good step for us this season. I’m extremely proud of our guys. They’re ready for any game.”
Just a few hours prior to the game, the Panthers moved up to No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, giving HPU its highest ranking in program and school history.
The game kicked off, and West Virginia got on the scoreboard 17 seconds into the game; however, HPU quickly answered in the sixth minute after Chris Niblock fired the ball downfield to a running Beau Yantz, who would then set up Brendan Krueger for the left-footed strike into the back of the net for the equalizer goal to make the game 1-1. It was the senior and Big South Preseason Offensive Player of the Year’s first goal of the season.
It didn’t take long for the Panthers to break the tie and take the lead as Celestin Blondel found Yantz, who would beautifully chip cross the ball to Daniel Lugo as he hit the one-timer into the goal to make it 2-1 in the 19th minute. The goal was Lugo’s sixth of the season, which is a team high, and gave Yantz his first career two-assist game.
“I like how our guys responded to the early setback to give up a goal that early. Never ideal but very resilient. Good response,” Haines said at half-time on the ESPN+ broadcast.
Josh Caron put on a spectacular goalkeeping performance in the first half, including stopping two back-to-back equalizer attempt shots on goal in the 30th minute. Caron made an incredible five saves in the first 45 minutes.
Despite WVA outshooting the Panthers 11-6 and 6-3 on shots on goal, the Panthers went into the halftime break with a 2-1 lead.
A corner kick in the 71st minute led to a WVA goal to level the score at 2-2.
Caron continued to dominate behind the net, preventing a tie-breaking attempt from WVU right at goal in the 75th minute to keep the game tied at two. Caron made highlight-reel stops all night, recording a career-high seven saves in the 90 minutes played.
The Panthers and Mountaineers finished the game in a draw, 2-2, to stay undefeated and continue the best start in Coach Haines era.
Up Next: The Panthers continue their road trip as they head to Farmville, Va. to take on Longwood University on Sunday, September 28 at 5 p.m.
