Men's Soccer Wins Coastal Carolina Tournament
Men's Soccer Wins Coastal Carolina Tournament

CONWAY, S.C. - Junior Ryan Lavigne scored his first career goals to lift Appalachian men's soccer (4-2-1) to a 3-0 win over Hartwick (1-3-2) at the Coastal Carolina/adidas Tournament on Sunday.

The win marks Appalachian's fourth-straight shutout, tying a program record last accomplished in 2007. In addition, ASU clinched first place in the weekend's tournament, its second tournament championship in as many weeks.

Sean Dreybus scored the Mountaineer's first goal just 15 minutes into the contest. Senior Mark Bridges broke loose down the right side and crossed the pass to Dreybus, who found the left side of the goal for his third goal of the year.

Lavigne, a transfer from Cincinnati, had a breakout day on the field. In the 23rd minute, he found the back of the net off an assist from Stanley Broaden to score his first goal in college play.

Less than four minutes later, Lavigne slipped another past the keeper from distance, this time off a pass from Lee Williams. Lavigne becomes this season's second ASU newcomer to net his first two career goals in the same day following Sekani Sinclair in a 3-0 shutout of Catawba earlier this month.

Appalachian held Hartwick to only four shots on the day. Senior Collin Taylor stopped all three on net to earn his first shutout in two appearances this season; it was his 11th career shutout.

"Anytime you can play two games in a weekend, score four goals and give none away, that's a great weekend," reflects coach Matt Nelson. "Our guys have become a tight group. It's starting to show on the field and we've started putting our chances away."

The tournament-champion Mountaineers placed four players on the all-tournament team, including Harrison Delbridge, Lee Rutter, Williams and Lavigne. Williams was named tournament Defensive MVP.

The Mountaineers have a break until their next home game, a match against UNC Asheville on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

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