BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University men's soccer (7-7-3, 4-2-1 SoCon) fell short against East Tennessee State (13-5, 7-2 A-Sun), 1-0, in overtime on Tuesday night at ASU Soccer Stadium on Senior Night.
The Mountaineers are now 0-2 against Atlantic Sun opponents this season, having lost to Campbell 1-0 earlier in their non-conference slate.
With the loss, Appalachian lost its first match at home this season, moving its home record to 5-1.
Both teams took an equal number of shots in the first half of play at eight a piece. David Haba came close to putting the Buccaneers up 1-0 on a shot four minutes into action, but it rang off the goal post. The Bucs rebounded and Haba took another shot at the goal, but it was saved by freshman goalkeeper Danny Free.
Appalachian came back down the field and junior Sean Dreybus and junior Bruno Mbamala took back-to-back shots, but were not successful.
The Mountaineers strung together four shots in a four minute span by freshman Ricky Davey, Mbamala and freshman Harrison Delbridge, but none were able to find the back of the net, sending both teams into a scoreless draw at the half.
ASU only allowed the Bucs to take a total of three second-half shots, but attempted six of their own. Free picked up his second save of the match as he caught Henry Klein's shot at 53:30.
Following an Appalachian foul, Blaike Woodruff took a strike at the goal, but had his shot blocked by the ASU defense. Mbamala and senior Steven Sassano took consecutive shots to try to give the Mountaineers a lead at 57:56 and 60:25, but both were not close.
Substitutions by both teams were frequent before the Bucs took their final shot of the second half at 69:31, but Alesi Osorio's shot sailed high.
After shots by Dreybus and junior Chad Dalton were blocked, the Mountaineers' best look of the half came off the foot of sophomore Ethan Durland at 86:53, but it hit the post.
Dreybus got one more look at the goal to close the second half with two seconds left in play, but was unable to nail the shot sending the Apps into another overtime match.
The Bucs wasted no time in the extra period, putting the Mountaineers away, who were playing shorthanded due to injury.
At 90:35, Aaron Schoenfeld played through to Colin Pugh and Pugh flicked the ball over Free to give Pugh his fourth goal of the season and end the regular season of the Mountaineers with a 1-0 loss.
Appalachian edged ETSU in shots 14-12, but was not able to take advantage of the additional shots. ASU also held the upper hand in corner kicks, 9-2, but was not able to capitalize.
ASU will have a quick turnaround as they enter the Southern Conference tournament as a #4 seed. Despite having an identical record with #5 seed Elon (8-5-5, 4-2-1 SoCon), the Mountaineers beat the Phoenix 2-1 in double overtime on Oct. 23 to line up another meeting with Elon on Saturday (Nov. 6) at 3 p.m. at ASU Soccer Stadium.
With 14 points and matching 4-1-2 records in SoCon play, UNCG, Furman and College of Charleston all clinched a share of the regular season title, but because of a 1-0-1 mark against fellow co-champions Furman and CofC, UNCG was awarded the event's top seed.
