Campus Chronicle

This was an article that appeared in the last issue of the Campus Chronicle. Congratulations to the High Point University women’s soccer team for winning the Big South Championship not once, but twice in four years. Coach Michelle Rayner and the rest of the soccer program have turned out some amazing results.

In a University where “results rule,” Rayner’s bunch has simply ruled. By far the most successful program in Division I history for HPU, the women’s soccer team has excelled without enough attention. Even I, a self-proclaimed sports junkie, have not paid attention to what this team has accomplished. I have watched them more than any other team here, but have not truly appreciated what they have done.

This squad has experienced more obstacles than any team could imagine at HPU. Eight players went down with injuries, averaging one a week for two months. Losing the starting goalie, Marisa Abbott, in the Big South Tournament would be the equivalent of the men’s basketball team losing not only Jerald Minnis this year, but also Cruz Daniels. Yes, the goalie is that important. Luckily enough, Hannah Nail stepped in. In the Big South Tournament, Nail gave up one goal in eight shots over 260 minutes played. The Panthers won the championship game in a shootout, defeating Coastal Carolina 5-3. No goals were scored in 110 minutes of action.

To lose players can cause mass confusion on a team. When players are used to the normal starters, it is hard to adjust to someone new. This team has not cared who is in the jersey just as long as a Panther jersey is out there. “Impressive” is the first word that comes to mind to describe this group, but not the last.
And what did this amazing team get in return from us? Not much. They did not have a triumphant return. The buzz on campus was not, “Did you hear what happened?” You can bet your last dollar the talk would be different when the men’s basketball team wins an away game.

I am not saying, “Take things away from the basketball team.” Please do not! That’s my favorite season. What I am saying is the women’s soccer team is due some serious kudos.

Within one day of a Facebook group starting, 100 people pledged their allegiance to go to a basketball game against some no-name college. Fifty people did not sign up to go to Chapel Hill to watch the women’s soccer team make it to their second NCAA tournament in four years.

This is becoming a trend with sports at HPU. Men’s basketball under Bart Lundy has been successful. Now, other sports are catching up. Chapel Hill, defending national champions and long time women’s soccer powerhouse, thought HPU was an easy victory. At 6-1, maybe it was. But when Amy Anzovino’s goal went into the net, the purple section made it the “high point” of the night.

Look at our other sports and see this is the trend now. We have a volleyball team that has less experience than Blessing Hall with first-year students yet still posts a 24-9 record. We have a baseball team returning all starters. Students, this is all talent. Soak it in and enjoy the ride to the top of the Big South, like watching another building go up on OA Kirkman. We will have more buildings and we will have more championships, guaranteed. Get ready: I thank the women’s soccer team for raising the bar