Box Score
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ROCK HILL, SC— Mamadee Nyepon's goal in the 55
th proved to be the game-winner as the Winthrop men's soccer team fell 2-1 to 23
rd-ranked High Point, Saturday evening in Big South Conference action.
Trailing in the second half, the Eagles (5-5, 1-1 Big South) looked as if they might have a good chance at tying the ball as a ball was served into
Adam Brundle at the top of the 18-yard box. Brundle reached out his foot and brought the ball down with no defenders within 4-5 yards and a free look at goal, but as he approached he couldn't keep his feet.
High Point (10-0-1, 3-0-1) immediately countered and went up 2-0 on Nyepon's ninth goal of the season as Leon Carby dropped a pass back and Nyepon turned and curved a shot out of keeper
Tom Banfield's reach and into the net.
Less than three minutes later, Winthrop got on the scoreboard when
Alex Isern converted on a penalty kick in the 57
th minute. The Eagles were awarded a penalty on a hand ball off a shot from Isern after High Point had cleared the ball.
Winthrop continued to apply pressure offensively and nearly tied the match in the 89
th minute when Isern was set up with a one-on-one with Panthers' keeper Kody Palmer. Isern took a touch and slipped a shot by Palmer, but as the ball was approaching the goal line Austin Yearwood of High Point slid and cleared the ball off the line to preserve the win.
High Point led at the break 1-0 after a Shawn Sloan goal in the 20
th minute. After the ball was cleared away by the Winthrop defense, Ryan Bennett collected the ball and was fouled about 22 yards out just off center of goal. Sloan ripped a bender that hit the outside Winthrop player in the wall and the ball deflected with pace to the far left corner as Banfield moved to his right in attempt to make the save. It was Sloan's fourth goal on the season.
Banfield finished the game with four saves. One of the biggest saves came in the 49
th minute before High Point's second goal as Nyepon was set up at the six-yard box for a one touch shot that was touched wide point blank by Banfield.
Palmer finished the game with five saves and picks up his 10
th win in goal. Shots favored High Point 19-14 and had an 8-4 advantage in corners.
Winthrop will be back in action Tuesday evening when it heads to Clinton, SC for a 7 p.m. match up with Presbyterian College. It will be the start of three straight road games for the Eagles.