Cha Shatters Career Record with Seven Goals in Thrilling Home Opener – A Highlight for High Point University Athletics!

HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point University women’s lacrosse team faced a tough match against William & Mary, losing 18-17 in their home opener. This was the first time the Panthers and Tribe had ever played against each other. The Panthers wore their new lavender jerseys for this exciting game, kicking off a three-game home stretch.

Senior captain Esprit Cha shined brightly, achieving a new career-high with seven goals and shooting 100 percent accuracy. She also contributed one assist, matching her career-best with eight points in total. Six of her goals were scored in the second half alone. Other players who made an impact included Allie Connally, Kate Prentice, Shannon Smith, and Reese Dowgiallo, each scoring multiple goals. Connally made a big contribution with nine draw controls, while Mandy Brockamp achieved a personal best with four caused turnovers.

SITE: Vert Stadium
SCORE: High Point 17, William & Mary 18
RECORDS: High Point (1-4), William & Mary (3-3)

The game began with Smith eager to score, and she successfully found the net on the Panthers’ second possession. High Point created several early chances, especially near the goal. In the first quarter, Prentice, Bella Germani, Cha, Connally, and Smith all scored, and Dowgiallo ended the quarter with a buzzer-beating goal, giving the Panthers a 6-5 lead.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Prentice netted another goal from a free position, marking her first multi-goal game as a Panther and bringing her total to four for the season. Connally chipped in her second goal, adding to her season tally of eleven.

Heading into halftime, the Panthers were down by one, despite nearly doubling the Tribe’s shot attempts, at 25 to 13.

In the third quarter, William & Mary built a five-goal lead before Cha broke the team’s scoreless streak with a free-position goal. With just under three minutes left in the quarter, Cha completed a hat trick, followed by her fourth and fifth goals, narrowing the gap to two.

The final quarter started with the Tribe leading 16-12, but Cha quickly responded with her sixth and seventh goals, taking her season total to over 23 points. Less than a minute later, Smith scored her second goal to bring the score within one. The Panthers surged ahead with goals from Brockamp and Dowgiallo, leading 17-16. However, William & Mary managed to tie the game again and eventually reclaim the lead.

Next: The Panthers will continue their home games against the Elon Phoenix on Wednesday, March 12, at 5 p.m.

#GoHPU

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