WASHINGTON, D.C. - High Point continued their strong season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Longwood on Sunday afternoon in front of 243 fans at the Longwood Athletics Complex. The win keeps the Panthers unbeaten in conference play while extending their impressive overall record to 6-0-3.
Alfred Baafi opened the scoring for High Point in the 8th minute, finding the back of the net with a well-placed shot to the high center of the goal. The Panthers maintained their offensive pressure throughout the first half, with Daniel Lugo and Jefferson Amaya both creating dangerous opportunities in the attacking third.
The first half saw High Point dominate possession and create multiple scoring chances. Brendan Krueger and Daniel Lugo both tested the Longwood defense with shots in the 14th and 22nd minutes respectively. Longwood's Benjamin Ferrero managed their best opportunity of the half in the 5th minute, but his attempt sailed wide. Jesus Macaya also had a promising chance for the Lancers in the 9th minute, but couldn't find the target.
The second half featured continued Panthers pressure, with Chris Niblock and Noah Behrmann leading the attack. Prosper Adagani received a yellow card in the 68th minute for persistent infringement, while Longwood's Ezrah Serralde was also cautioned in the 54th minute. High Point maintained their defensive organization throughout, preventing Longwood from mounting any serious comeback attempts.
The statistical dominance of High Point was evident throughout the match. The Panthers outshot Longwood 23-4, including 14 shots on target compared to none for the Lancers. The teams were even with four corner kicks each, while both sides received one yellow card. The High Point defense proved impenetrable, not requiring a single save, while Longwood's goalkeeper was forced into 11 saves.
Several Panthers players delivered standout performances. Alfred Baafi was particularly dangerous in attack, recording multiple shots including the opening goal. Chris Niblock showed excellent creativity in midfield, while Noah Behrmann contributed both defensively and in attack. For Longwood, Jesus Macaya and Benjamin Ferrero showed moments of promise despite the difficult afternoon.
High Point's tactical approach emphasized high pressing and quick transitions, effectively preventing Longwood from building any sustained possession. The Panthers' wing play was particularly effective, with their fullbacks providing width and creating overloads in attacking areas. Longwood attempted to counter through quick transitions but struggled to break through the organized High Point defensive structure.
The result continues High Point's impressive form, building on their recent 3-1 win over Presbyterian and 2-2 draw with West Virginia. For Longwood, the loss drops their record to 2-5-2, marking their second defeat in three matches despite a promising win over Elon in their previous outing.
Looking ahead, High Point will aim to maintain their unbeaten conference record when they travel to UNC Asheville on October 4th. Longwood will look to rebound from this defeat when they visit Gardner-Webb on October 3rd, seeking to improve their conference standing.
The match officials maintained good control throughout the contest, with the two yellow cards reflecting the overall competitive but fair nature of the play. The clean sheet victory for High Point demonstrates their growing confidence as they continue their pursuit of conference honors.