HIGH POINT, N.C. - UNCG women's soccer (0-1, 0-0) drops the 2021 Piedmont Triad derby this Saturday, falling by a final of 2-0 to nearby rivals High Point University (1-0, 0-0) to open the 2021 season.  

UNCG owned the early energy of their road opener and looked likely to score an early advantage in the opening 15 minutes, but it wasn't to be. Sophomore Maddy Gilhool tested the High Point keeper in just the second minute of competition, as the Spartans forced two corners and a triad of Panther fouls before the end of the 16th minute.

The home team did start to settle in after initially getting caught flat-footed however, sharing the majority of the ball over the proceeding 30 minutes and getting their first tally of 2021 during the 32nd minute. 

Playing from behind, the Spartans hoped to secure the equalizer in the early stages of the second half, forcing the HPU keeper to make another stop in the 52nd off an attempt from Gracie Timbario. UNCG's increased offensive pressure eventually gave way to the Panther counter-attack however as the hosts doubled their lead 20 minutes later.

Attempts to play the ball over the top led to a trio of offside calls made against the visiting Spartans in the final 45, as coach Coll's side remained determined to get back into the match. Senior Sophie Stewart-Hobbs tallied UNCG's last opportunity of the day, but her shot aimed at the bottom right corner in the 86th minute was stopped and collected, clinching a 2-0 win for High Point.

>> Starting keeper Abby Buchholz made five saves over the course of the match while facing 12 shots in all
>> Hailey Faubion, Hannah Morton, Parker Sikora, Dalani Stephens and Caroline Woods all made their debuts in blue and gold on Saturday, with Stephens and Sikora earning spots in the starting XI
>> UNCG used a combination of 19 different players over the course of its match at High Point, with Buchholz and centerbacks Ashley Avelino and Kayla Campbell playing a full 90

#letsgoG