Greensboro, N.C.- Juan Obregon scored two goals to lift the Appalachian State University men's soccer team to a 2-1 win at UNC Greensboro Saturday night.
Obregon got the Mountaineers on the board in the 34th minute when he took a pass back from Arie Muniz from the right side just inside the sideline and took a shot over the goalkeepers head into the upper left post. The goal was Obregon's sixth of the season, and Muniz's sixth assist of the season. The assist puts Muniz in a tie for first in the conference in assists.
Obregon scored his second goal of the match and seventh of the season on a penalty kick in the 66th minute. Obregon beat UNCG keeper Nate Berry to the left with the kick. Berry replaced starter Chad Dickerson at halftime. The penalty kick was the result of a handball in the box by the Spartans.
UNCG got on the board in the 84th minute when Tebasto Manyama took a pass from Tim Masters and shot it past Drake Branson to the lower right corner
Obregon has now scored five goals in the last three games, all wins. The seven goals on the year ties a season high for Obregon, which he did in 2006.
Muniz had a scoring chance just two minutes into the match for the Mountaineers but his shot from the left side inside the box was saved by Dickerson.
In the 13th minute Antonio Harley took a shot from the left side that Dickerson got a hand on and deflected off the crossbar.
Appalachian held the Spartans shotless until Tim Masters took a shot from the left side 10 yards out that was deflected aside by Collin Taylor.
The Mountaineers held a 7-6 shot advantage in the first half. The Mountaineers played the final 55 minutes down a man due to a red card. Appalachian was outshot 15-6 in the second half, but the defense, led by senior Paul Pessina held strong, allowing only the one goal.
Taylor made three saves while Branson finished the match for the Mountaineers and earned his first two saves of the season.
With the win, Appalachian moves to 10-7 on the season and 4-3 in the SoCon. The win also guarantees the Apps a home game for the first round of the conference tournament on Saturday, Nov. 8. The loss drops UNCG to 6-10-1 overall and 2-4 in the SoCon.
