HIGH POINT, N.C. — #10 High Point survived a second-half West Virginia comeback to secure a 3-2 victory in an NCAA Division I tournament matchup Sunday, with 4,913 fans witnessing a back-and-forth battle that showcased both teams' attacking prowess. The Panthers, riding a four-game winning streak, built a commanding 2-0 halftime lead before the Mountaineers mounted a furious rally that nearly stole the result in the final minutes.
High Point struck first when Noah Behrmann found the net in the 31st minute, giving the hosts an early advantage. Mo Guettel doubled the lead just five minutes later with a goal in the 36th minute, putting the Panthers firmly in control as they headed into halftime. The two-goal cushion appeared comfortable, but West Virginia had other plans for the second half.
The first 45 minutes belonged to High Point, which controlled possession and limited West Virginia's chances. The Mountaineers struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure, with their defense working overtime to contain the Panthers' attacking movements. High Point's early aggression set the tone, and the two-goal lead reflected their dominance during that stretch.
West Virginia emerged from the halftime break with renewed intensity. Isaac Scheer pulled one back in the 54th minute with an assist from Pablo Pozos, cutting the deficit in half and injecting life into the Mountaineers' campaign. The goal sparked a dramatic shift in momentum, with West Virginia pressing forward relentlessly in search of an equalizer.
Chris Niblock restored High Point's two-goal advantage in the 52nd minute—a crucial moment that appeared to have settled the match. Daniel Lugo provided the assist on Niblock's goal, extending the Panthers' lead to 3-1 and seemingly putting the game out of reach. Yet West Virginia refused to fold, continuing to attack with desperation and precision.
Marcus Caldeira scored in the 86th minute with Juan Alvarez assisting, making it 3-2 and setting up a frantic final stretch. The Mountaineers pressed for an equalizer in the closing moments, but High Point's defense held firm. West Virginia finished with 13 shot attempts compared to High Point's 12, and earned seven corner kicks to the Panthers' three, but couldn't find the final breakthrough.
The statistical battle was closely contested. Both teams recorded three saves, while West Virginia's aggressive approach resulted in four yellow cards to High Point's none. The Mountaineers' 5 shots on goal matched High Point's 6, illustrating how competitive the match remained throughout.
High Point's victory extends their impressive run and demonstrates their ability to withstand pressure from a determined opponent. The Panthers' defensive resilience in the final minutes, combined with their clinical finishing in the first half, proved the difference in a match that could have gone either way. West Virginia showed character in their comeback attempt but ultimately fell just short in a tournament contest that lived up to the intensity expected at this level of college soccer. HP now plays Georgetown in the next round.