University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
HIGH POINT
Bulldogs Drop Final Conference Match at HPU - UNC Asheville Bulldogs Official Athletics Site
01.01.1970 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2005
HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point University women's soccer team continued their strong play on Wednesday night handing the Big South Conference leading UNC Asheville Bulldogs a 2-0 loss at Albion Millis Stadium.
With the win, the Panthers improve to 10-5-1 overall and 5-2-0 in Big South Conference play and keep open their opportunity to earn a share of the regular season championship on Saturday. UNC Asheville slips to 10-5-0 and finish their league regular season slate with a 6-2 mark.
The Bulldogs have already clinched at least a share of the Big South crown. High Point would share the crown with Asheville if it defeats Birmingham-Southern on Saturday. If the Panthers are successful on Saturday they will be the top seed in the Big South Tournament. If High Point falls to Birmingham-Southern, then Asheville will be the top seed.
Traci Andersen, High Point's leading scorer, got the Panthers on the board first recording her 10th goal of the season at the 15:04 mark. Ryan Hays' corner kick was touched passed by Kelly Farrell to Andersen, who pushed the ball past Asheville keeper Michelle Mattos from about four yards out.
The Panthers picked up an insurance score later in the first half as sophomore Karolina Straby collected a deflected shot by teammate Leslie Long in front of the net and deposited it in the right side of the goal at 27:21.
After grabbing the lead in the first half, High Point turned to its defense in the second frame as Asheville turned up the play in its offensive end. The Bulldogs earned a 9-1 edge in shot attempts in the closing half with freshman Robyn Busha doing much of the damage tallying several of her 11 tries in the stretch.
HPU goalkeeper Erica Brockmyer recorded four saves including a pair of key stops of Busha headers off corner kicks in the closing period to help ice the victory. High Point also benefited from a pair of saves by defenders in front of the net to earn the team's seventh shutout this season.
For the game, UNCA outshot HPU, 15-6, including a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Busha led all players with five shots on goal. The Bulldogs also earned a slight 6-4 advantage in corner kicks. Mattos finished with two saves for UNCA while Brockmyer recorded her fifth shutout this year.
The Bulldogs return home for the final match of the regular season on Saturday as they step out of conference to play Campbell on Senior Day. Asheville will honor its six seniors prior to the 1 p.m. match. All of the festivities can be heard online as the match will be broadcast at www.uncabulldogs.com.
