1 | 2 | F | |
---|---|---|---|
Virginia Tech (5-5-2) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
High Point (6-4-3) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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HIGH POINT, N.C. - A late penalty kick from Merlin Baus wasn’t enough to spark a comeback for the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team as they fell to High Point on the road Tuesday night, 2-1.
With the loss, Tech moves to 5-5-2 on the season while High Point is 6-4-3.
The Hokies, who dominated possession and scoring chances for long stretches of the game, were ultimately unable to overcome two first half goals from High Point. Tech outshot High Point 18-12 on the evening and held a wide 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. Merlin Baus scored the goal for Tech as he converted a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
Tech came out to a quick start, as they were able to record the first three shots of the game. High Point didn’t take their first shot until the 18th minute. Against the run of play, High Point was able to score first as Avery Ryan scored off cross in the 23rd minute.
In the 28th minute, Tech had a chance to even things up as Ricardo John had possession in the box but his low shot was parried away by High Point keeper Kody Palmer. Again against the run of play, the Panthers responded less than two minutes later as Renato Punyed scored off a low cross.
After the second goal, the Hokies offense continued to create chances. John had two headers in the final five minutes of the first half. His diving header in the 41st minute and a climbing header in the 44th minute were both saved by Palmer.
The second half came with more chances for the Hokies, who finally got on the board in the 75th minute. John made a run in from the left side of the box but was dragged down by a High Point defender. Baus calmly stepped up and finished the penalty to bring Tech back to a 2-1 deficit.
As the Hokies continued to press to find the equalizer, Alessandro Mion had the last good chance as his left-footed volley went wide left of the post in the 78th minute.
Tech returns home Friday to Thompson Field as the play host to Notre Dame at 5:30 p.m. in a game that will be regionally televised on Fox Sports South.
For updates on Virginia Tech men's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_MSoccer