HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University ICS program capped off the first weekend of October with a series of strong performances from its golf, triathlon, men's volleyball and men's ice hockey purple (D3) squads. 

In golf, a pair of great back-to-back showings on Saturday and Sunday in Orlando, Fla., coupled with a second place finish, secured a spot in the 2026-27 NCCGA National Championship for the HPU team.

The HPU ICS triathlon team was represented well by Cody Rocchio, who delivered a second-place finish in the 20-24 age group in a solid outing for the Panthers in Wake Forest, N.C.

With a perfect 6-0 mark at the UNC Wilmington Tournament on Saturday afternoon, the High Point University ICS men's volleyball purple team laid claim to its first tournament championship in two years. The Panthers' purple team moved its mark to 12-3 on the season with the victories. 

The High Point ICS men's hockey purple (D3) team kept its perfect record (7-0-0) intact with its third straight series sweep of the weekend, downing Navy in Annapolis, Md.

ESports
Sept. 28 | George Mason (Rescheduled)
Sept. 29 | UNC Asheville, L, 4-1
Sept. 30 | Lander, L, 2-1 (Valorant)
Sept. 30 | Kennesaw State, W, 2-0 (Rainbow 6 Siege)
Oct. 1 | New York University, L, 2-0 (Valorant White)

The High Point University ESports ended September on a winning note, claiming a 2-0 victory against Kennesaw State. The victory, which came by Rainbow 6 Siege, marked the fourth of the season for the Panthers. 

High Point also squared off against Lander, New York University, George Mason and UNC Asheville during the course of the week. 

Women's Lacrosse
Oct. 1 | vs. North Carolina, L, 19-2

The High Point University ICS women's lacrosse team dropped its second decision four days on Thursday, following a 19-2 setback to Triad foe Wake Forest. 

The Panthers will now turn their attention to the East Carolina Tournament on October 17th, marking the first of three road trips that will also include clashes at Wake Forest (Oct. 25) and N.C. State (Nov. 8). 

Men's Ice Hockey Purple (D2)
Oct. 2 | at N.C. State, L, 5-3

After capping off the opening month of the 2026-27 season with a 3-3-0 mark, the High Point University ICS men's hockey purple (D2) squad opened October action with a clash against N.C. State. 

The IcePack mark the first of three straight road opponents for High Point in October as the Panthers will also face Buffalo (Oct. 16-17) and Niagara (Oct. 18) away from the confines of the Greensboro Ice House. 

In Friday's clash, the Panthers' offense was led by the combination of Parker O'Toole, Lakin Glessner and JR Slayton, who lit the lamp for one goal each. However, N.C. State managed five goals, improving to 2-5 on the season. 

Men's Ice Hockey Purple (D3)
Oct. 3 | at Navy, W, 3-2
Oct. 4 | at Navy, W, 4-0

The High Point ICS men's hockey purple (D3) team kept its perfect record (7-0-0) intact with its third straight series sweep of the weekend, downing Navy in Annapolis, Md.

The Panthers, who had swept series over James Madison and Appalachian State, took down the Midshipmen by scores of 3-2 (Oct. 3) and 4-0 (Oct. 4) to remain perfect under the direction of head coach Josh Koepplinger. 

Game 1 Recap: Navy established a 2-1 lead after one period with the lone goal for the Panthers come off the stick of Clifton Patrick. However, the High Point offense found its rhythm and capitalized on goals from Eddie Koza and Matthew Smith to close out the victory by a 3-2 margin. 

Game 2 Recap: On Sunday the two teams returned to the ice for a matinee and were scoreless through the opening period. Matthew Smith found the back of the net for the first goal of the day, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the second. 

The Panthers delivered three goals in the third, which came from the trio of Chris Sweeney, Eddie Koza and Casey Burkom, notching their first shutout of the season. It marks the first shutout for High Point's purple (D3) team since a 3-0 win against Virginia Tech on January 17, 2026. 

Ballroom & Latin Dancing
Oct. 3 | Columbia, S.C.| All Day | South Carolina

Golf
Oct. 3-4 | National Qualifier, 2nd Place

High Point University ICS' golf team was the leader after day one of the National Qualifier in Orlando, Fla., shooting a team total (+1) par 366. It marked the best competitive round the Panthers in a tournament and put High Point seven shots ahead of ahead of the University of Tampa and eight strokes in front of the University of Miami.

The Panthers continued their solid play on day two, again a competitive round team total (E) par 365, which improved the team score by a stroke from Saturday. However, the University of Miami surged forward from third position, carding an onslaught of birdies by nearly every member of the Hurricane squad. While Miami steadily drained long putts all day long, the Panthers watched their lead evaporate.

However, an eagle by High Point senior Kevin Hochenberger on his final hole, set up a final hole showdown on the par five 18th green. Needing to card a pair of birdies, High Point's Abhay Minhas and Bo Pepe, both threw darts within eight feet of the cup.

The Miami tandem paired with Minhas and Pepe needed to make two pars to earn the win, but both hit less than ideal approaches, which left one in the rough on the right and the other 45+ feet away from the hole on the upper tier of the large undulating green.

Minhas and Pepe both made par and a pitch that checked up short put a bogey onto the Hurricane scorecard. As had been the case for most of the day, the Panthers could only watch as the long Miami putt from the upper tier tracked down the slope, hit the stick and fell into the cup.

The strong showing and second place finish did secure a spot in the 2026-27 NCCGA National Championship for the HPU team. The event will take place in Hot Springs, Arkansas in April. 

Triathlon
Oct. 3 | Sandling Beach Spring & Olympic Triathlon

Sprint
Cody Rocchio (2nd Place, 20-24 Age Group)

Olympic
Drake Dearborn: 15th Place (20-24 Division)
Jayden Piercey: 20th Place (20-24 Division)

The HPU ICS triathlon team competed in its second event of the season, making the trek to Falls Lake, N.C., for the Sandling Beach Spring & Olympic Triathlon. 

High Point's Cody Rocchio delivered a second-place finish in the 20-24 age group in a solid outing for the Panthers in the Sprint. 

Meanwhile, the Panther pair of Drake Dearborn and Jayden Piercey competed in the Olympic portion of the event. Dearborn claimed 15th place in the 20-24 age group, while Piercey crossed the line 20th in the same age bracket. 

Men's Volleyball | UNC Wilmington Tournament (1st / Gold Bracket Champions)
Oct. 3 | at UNC Wilmington, W, 2-0 (25-20, 25-22)
Oct. 3 | vs. Appalachian State, W, 2-0 (25-21, 25-16)
Oct. 3 | vs. East Carolina 'B', W, 2-0 (25-14, 25-12)
Oct. 3 | vs. Charlotte, W, 2-0 (25-17, 26-24)
Oct. 3 | vs. East Carolina 'A', W, 1-0 (25-23) | Gold Bracket (Quarterfinals)
Oct. 3 | vs. UNC Wilmington 'A', W, 2-0 (27-26, 25-21) | Gold Bracket (Quarterfinals)

With a perfect 6-0 mark at the UNC Wilmington Tournament on Saturday afternoon, the High Point University ICS men's volleyball purple team laid claim to its first tournament championship in two years. The Panthers' purple team moved its mark to 12-3 on the season with the victories. 

The Panthers, seeded second at the event, opened with a clash against No. 1 seed and host UNC Wilmington, earning a 25-20, 25-22 victory. High Point took the momentum of that victory into the clash with Appalachian State and claimed a 25-21 victory. The Panthers then swept East Carolina 'B' in the third match of the day, sweeping the Pirates by scores of 25-14, 25-12. 

In the final match of pool play, High Point emerged with a 25-17, 26-24 win over Charlotte, earning the No. 1 seed in the Gold Bracket. After witnessing the East Carolina 'A' squad take down Old Dominion, High Point came through with a 25-23 win, setting up a showdown with the UNC Wilmington 'A' team. 

High Point reached the Gold Bracket Finals, squaring off against UNC Wilmington 'A', and delivered a pair of victories by scores of 27-26, 25-21 to claim the tournament title. 

Women's Ice Hockey
Oct. 3 | at Villanova, L, 6-4

The High Point University ICS women's hockey team traveled to the Keystone State over the weekend and faced Villanova on Saturday evening. 

The Wildcats handed High Point its second road loss of the season, following a 6-4 win. 

The Panthers notched four goals in the contest, marking the fourth time in five games they have scored at least four times. The first goal came from Kailee O'Brien, who helped High Point even the score at 1-1 at the close of the first period. 

O'Brien tacked on her second goal of the game in the second, while Paige Tuccinardi delivered a score of her own, making for a 5-3 Villanova advantage after two periods. Naomi Evangelista got into the act with a goal for High Point, but an insurance goal by the Wildcats resulted in the Villanova triumph.