Boiling Springs, North Carolina – It's a battle between the top two teams in the Big South Conference standings, as the eighth-ranked High Point University men's soccer team takes on Gardner-Webb University on the road Saturday night. Led by scoring from Lukas Kamrath, Daniel Lugo and Jefferson Amaya, plus a PK save from Josh Caron, the Panthers defeated the Runnin' Bulldogs 3-0 to capture the Big South regular season title for the third straight season.
This victory also extended the Panthers' unbeaten road record to 10 years. HPU's last loss on the road was in overtime against Presbyterian on September 17, 2016. On the eve of the anniversary of the late Holden Trent's death, the Panthers put in a stellar performance to claim the Big South regular-season trophy. Not only is it High Point's third straight regular-season title, but its sixth in nine years and seventh in Panthers history.
As the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Panthers automatically advance to the Big South Tournament semifinals and receive home field advantage, which will be held on Nov. 9 at Witt Stadium.
Location: Green Harbison Stadium
Score: #8 High Points 3, Gardner-Webb 0
Records: High Point (10-1-3, 6-0-0), Gardner-Webb (11-2-2, 4-1-1)
Head Coach Zach Haynes: “Congratulations to our team and staff. They deserve it for who they are and what they have contributed to this program on and off the field. There is more to come.”
In the 21st minute, Gardner-Webb fouled and created a free kick opportunity near the midfield. Kamrat took the kick next to Amaya. With the Running Bulldogs goalie not paying attention, Kamrat put the ball into the net from near midfield to give his team a 1-0 lead. This is the old captain's second goal this season.
Kamrat finds everyone sleeping? ?
5? ? The Panthers took a lead they would never lose with this free kick goal just past midfield? #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/V2cGUyYUkH
— High Point College Football (@HPUMSOCCER) October 26, 2025
With 9 seconds left in the 45th minute of the game, a foul on HPU in the penalty area created a PK equalizing opportunity for Gardner-Webb. Goalie Josh Caron timed the ball perfectly, leaping completely to his right and deflecting the ball with one hand to stop the score. This incredible save was Caron's third of the first half and helped his team maintain a 1-0 halftime lead.
@HPUMSOCCER leads 1-0!#BigSouthMSOC?? pic.twitter.com/Eds5uHP2K4
— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) October 25, 2025 ” >
What. A. Save. ??
Josh Caron denied Gardner-Webb's PK with :09 left before halftime to preserve the eighth. @HPUMSOCCER1-0 lead!#BigSouthMSOC?? pic.twitter.com/Eds5uHP2K4
— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) October 25, 2025
After missing a shot opportunity minutes earlier, Lugo, the Big South Conference's points and goals leader, redeemed himself in the 55th minute. Celestin Blondel found Alfred Baafi in the frontcourt, and Baafi slowly found Lugo. Lugo dribbled the ball around the defender and into the back right corner of the net for his ninth goal of the season and a 2-0 lead. It was the eighth time Lugo had scored in different games.
High Point kept pressing the accelerator. Gardner-Webb's foul led to another foul, this time from the free throw line.
In the 74th minute, Amaya took a free kick, and the ball went out of reach of the running Bulldogs goalkeeper and into the upper left corner of the goal, scoring a wonderful goal and giving the team a 3-0 lead. It was Amaya's third goal of the season.
#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/PoiODu1v5q
— High Point College Football (@HPUMSOCCER) October 26, 2025 ” >
Let the product speak at the scene? ?
Two powerful shots from Lugo (55', via Buffy) and Amaya (73' free kick) in the second half helped the team defeat Gardner-Webb 3-0 and win their third consecutive Big South regular season championship! ?? #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/PoiODu1v5q
— High Point College Football (@HPUMSOCCER) October 26, 2025
High Point sealed the victory with a score of 3-0, winning its third straight game. The Panthers remain undefeated in conference play, snapping a two-game losing streak against Gardner-Webb and improving to 16-3-6 all-time in series against the Bulldogs.
Caron finished the game with six saves, marking his seventh clean sheet of the season and fifth consecutive goal in conference play as Caron has allowed just one goal against Big South Conference opponents so far.
HPU took a total of seven corner kicks, while Gardner-Webb had only five. The Panthers trailed 12-8 and shot 6-5, but took advantage of their chances.
Next: The Panthers will take on Davidson College in a non-conference game in Davidson, NC on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m.
#GoHPU