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.