Former High Point University goalkeeper Holden Trent, who helped the HPU men’s soccer team win its first NCAA Tournament game in 2022, passed away on Saturday. He was 25 years old.
In his final moments, Trent was surrounded by friends and family in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“We are all heartbroken. We loved Holden deeply and will miss him more than words can express. Our staff, student-athletes, and HPU are also determined to do our part in ensuring that his legacy lives on and that we do everything we can to honor his memory. He is more to the HPU Soccer family than just the greatest to ever play here. He was a leader, a friend, and an inspiration to all. Thank you for supporting Holden and his family during this time. The outpouring of love has been truly amazing, and shows how much this incredible young man meant to so many people from every stage of his life.” - Zach Haines (Head Men’s Soccer Coach)
Trent was the one of the greatest Panthers to ever don the Purple & White.
Since stepping onto High Point’s campus, Trent’s impact was felt, and the accolades he accumulated prove as such. He was a two-time Big South Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and three-time Big South First-Team All-Conference member. As team captain, he earned Big South Defensive Player of the Week seven times and helped the Panthers win three Big South Championships.
He was ranked No. 21 in the TopDrawerSoccer 2022 Midseason Top-100 players before being named to the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team in the same season. Trent was also tabbed to the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team.
Trent was monumental in the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory as he helped blank North Carolina, 2-0, in 2022. In that same season, Trent and the Panthers defeated seventh-ranked Maryland, 2-1, for the program’s fourth win over a ranked team.
In three seasons, Trent started in every game played (52) as he compiled a 1.00 goals-against average with 145 saves and 22 clean sheets. The 6-foot-2 keeper finished his career with a 31-13-8 record.
His career numbers put him amongst the best-of-the-best in the nation. He finished his career sixth among NCAA Division I active career leaders in clean sheets (22) in the fewest games played (52) and was 12th in the same category across all NCAA Divisions. He also finished top-25 for DI active career leaders in goals against average (1.00), while setting the program record.
Following an incredible senior season, Trent became the highest drafted HPU men’s soccer player ever in the Major League Soccer Draft when the Philadelphia Union selected him in the first round with pick No. 28 on December 21, 2022. He was the third Big South player to be selected during the first round.
A native of Greensboro, N.C., Trent attended Page High School and played club soccer for the Carolina Rapids and NC Fusion.
Our hearts go out to his mother Annie B Carter, sister Liza McGowan, fiancé Brie Losito and everyone else who loved Holden dearly. The Panthers will wear No. 1 Holden Trent patches the rest of the season to honor him as his memory will live on forever at High Point University.
__________________________________________________________
This Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in honor of Holden Trent. You can give below.