HIGH POINT, N.C.  - The High Point University women's soccer team got a golden goal from junior Becca Hemby in the 93rd minute to pull out a 1-0 overtime win against Liberty in Big South action on Thursday night at Vert Stadium. The win improves HPU to 5-0-2 in the Big South for the season.

“I am very happy to walk out of this game tonight with three points,” head coach Marty Beall said. “Liberty is an excellent team that is well coached and they showed tonight why they have one of the best defenses in the conference. I couldn't be more pleased with how our players competed throughout the game and the goal we scored to win was just pure class from start to finish.”

After ending regulation in a scoreless stalemate the Panthers did not wait long to grab the victory, scoring in just the third minute of extra time. HPU broke out quickly off a save by junior Jesse May and junior Taylor Parker received the ball on the right flank. The junior shook two defenders with a clever dribble and turned into the penalty area before hitting a low cross to the center of the box. Hemby made a late run up the center and one-touched a shot past the diving keeper for the win. The goal was her team-high eighth of the season.

The game was a defensive battle throughout as both team's featured a skilled backline. Neither team was able to build sustained offensive pressure against the organized defenses. At the end of regulation the two squads had combined to put just four shots on frame. After allowing two shots on goal in the first five minutes of play, High Point's defense did not allow another shot on its keeper until the 92nd minute.

The win was the Panthers' second-straight in extra time following their 2-1 win over Gardner-Webb on Sept. 29. High Point has now gone to extra time in eight of its 16 games this season and has yet to lose, posting a 2-0-6 record in those contests.

HPU improves to 6-4-6 overall and 5-0-2 in the Big South with the win. The Panthers are one of just two teams in the conference that remain undefeated along with Radford. HPU is also undefeated at Vert Stadium in 2012, improving to 4-0-2 in six games at home. Liberty falls to 9-6-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the Big South with the loss.

High Point will wrap up its 2012 home schedule against Longwood on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. The Lancers are 10-4-0 overall this season after a 1-0 win at Campbell and enter the weekend second in the Big South with a 6-1-0 mark. Saturday will also serve as senior day for HPU which will honor its seven seniors prior to the match.

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