HIGH POINT, N.C. — #1 High Point defeated #2 Gardner-Webb 3-0 on Saturday in the Big South Championship match, extending its winning streak to three games before 1,913 spectators. The Panthers controlled the second half with clinical finishing, scoring all three goals after halftime to claim a dominant victory over the second-seeded Runnin' Bulldogs.
The first 45 minutes remained scoreless despite High Point's territorial advantage. Gardner-Webb defended compactly and created occasional opportunities on the counter, but neither team could break through. High Point generated 13 shot attempts compared to Gardner-Webb's nine in the opening period, yet Gardner-Webb goalkeeper Alan Horrocks made only two saves as the match remained deadlocked at the interval.
High Point's breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Daniel Lugo headed home from close range, giving the top seed a 1-0 lead. The goal opened the floodgates for the Panthers' attack. Seven minutes later, Alfred Baafi extended the advantage to 2-0 with another header, this time assisted by Brendan Krueger, who proved instrumental in High Point's second-half dominance.
Noah Behrmann sealed the victory in the 69th minute with a right-footed finish, also assisted by Krueger. The midfielder's two assists highlighted High Point's superior execution in the attacking third during the decisive period. Gardner-Webb offered little resistance after falling behind by two goals, unable to generate meaningful chances against High Point's organized defense.
High Point's defensive solidity limited Gardner-Webb's opportunities throughout. The Panthers recorded five shots on goal compared to Gardner-Webb's single shot on target. High Point also won the corner-kick battle 4-2, controlling set-piece situations where both of Baafi and Behrmann's goals originated. Gardner-Webb's defense, typically reliable during the regular season, struggled to contain High Point's aerial threat and movement in the box.
Discipline proved costly for Gardner-Webb, which received three yellow cards to High Point's one. Samson Kpardeh, Javan Ochieng, and Pius Ssebulime all drew cautions for the Runnin' Bulldogs, reflecting the frustration mounting as High Point controlled possession and tempo. High Point's Celestin Blondel received the only yellow card for the home side.
The result demonstrated High Point's credentials as the conference's top seed. The Panthers improved to 13-1-4 overall while Gardner-Webb, despite its 13-3-2 record, suffered its first loss in three matches. High Point's three-game winning streak, which included a 5-0 demolition of #5 USC Upstate in the previous round, showcased the team's offensive firepower and defensive organization at the championship stage.
Gardner-Webb's inability to generate scoring chances reflected High Point's suffocating defensive approach. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed only nine shot attempts and struggled to find rhythm against High Point's pressing system. Horrocks made two saves for Gardner-Webb, while High Point's Josh Caron recorded one save in a relatively comfortable afternoon for the home side.
High Point's comprehensive performance established the Panthers as the dominant force in Big South soccer this season, with their balanced attack and defensive discipline proving