BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Ethan Hall saved a penalty kick, while Jhuvon Francis and Ricki Gaez scored goals to lift Campbell to a 2-1 victory over No.-25 High Point Wednesday night at the Eakes Athletic Complex.

Campbell (9-4-1, 4-3-0 Big South) improved to 2-1-1 against ranked in one of the three national this year and dealt High Point (11-2-1, 4-1-1) its first league setback of the season.

A junior from Raleigh, Hall saved his third penalty in four chances this season, when he stopped Adam Sewell's spot kick in the 55th minute.

Francis scored his fifth strike of the year in the 70th minute with a left-foot shot that curled over High Point keeper Kody Palmer. Gaez and Scooter Oliver provided the build up for the sophomore, who earlier in the half had missed wide left on an attempt from point-blank range.

Just 4:07 later, the Camels doubled the edge when Bryce Miller slipped the ball past the High Point back four and Gaez dribbled in free on Palmer. The sophomore from Panama City, Panama lifted the ball over the charging keeper and into the net for his fifth goal (second game-winner) this year.

High Point, which had not trailed by two goals at any point this year until the 74th minute, drew within one on Fejiro Okiomah's header from Keith Cowdrey's corner kick with 1:35 remaining.  The Panthers, who entered ranked No.-25 in this week’s College Soccer News poll, dropped their second decision in the last three outings following a 10-0-1 start.

“I’m proud of our team and the effort we gave against a high-paced opponent,” said Campbell head coach Steve Armas.  “High Point comes at you with a lot of speed and pressure and we absorbed that throughout.  Tonight, our guys adjusted well, and in the end, the score line reflects that."

Wednesday’s victory was Campbell’s second over a nationally-ranked foe of the season, including a 2-0 blanking at No.-17 NC State on Sept. 18.  CU opened the year with a 1-1 draw at No.-16 SMU and fell last Wednesday to No.-12 Coastal Carolina 3-1.

Since the start of the 2005 campaign, Campbell owns a 6-13-2 mark against nationally-ranked schools.  Campbell improved to 5-1 at home this season, 43-20-2 (.677) at the Eakes Athletic Complex since the start of the 2005 campaign.

Both teams had chances in a scoreless first half.  In the 11th minute, Francis broke in on Palmer, but the freshman keeper charged off his line and was able to make a sliding save in the area.

In the 24th minute, Mamadee Nyepon caught Hall off his line, but Aleksi Tossavainen cleared the ball of the line to preserve the deadlock.

Campbell nearly added a third strike in the 86th minute when the nation’s assist leader Mitchell Cardenas, slid the ball across the area to Miller, but the sophomore got under his volley and lofted a soft shot that Palmer was able to grab.

Wednesday’s game was just the fourth time in 14 outings this year in which Cardenas has not scored or set up a goal.  He entered the contest with 5 goals and 10 assists.

High Point pressed for a goal in the final minutes and whipped in a cross that Tossavainen cleared for the corner that Okiomah eventually finished.

The Panthers finished with a 17-11 edge in shots, 9-6 in shots on target.  Palmer make four saves in the High Point nets, while Hall had seven stops for Campbell.

Francis has tallied all 11 of his points (5 goals, 1 assist) over the last 6 games, including game-winning strikes vs. VMI and Virginia Tech.

Hall stopped a penalty for the fourth time in his career.  The junior from Athens Drive High School saved a PK in last year’s 0-0 opening draw against 30th-ranked Furman.  Earlier this season, Hall saved penalties in consecutive outings at NC State (Sept. 18) and Radford (Sept. 22).

“Ethan came up huge for us again with another great save and good read,” said Armas.  “There is a certain level of frustration because we have given up four PKs this year, but it’s nice to know that we have a guy back there who can give us a chance to continue the play.”

Campbell University continues the celebration of its 50th men’s soccer season on Homecoming this Saturday (Oct. 20).  An Alumni-v-Alumni game is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., followed by a 3:30 p.m. kick-off against Big South foe Presbyterian.  All men’s soccer alumni in attendance Saturday will be recognized during half-time ceremonies.