ASHEVILLE, N.C. -
After not giving up a shot on goal for
the second straight match, Appalachian State University blanked UNC Asheville
3-0 Thursday afternoon at Greenwood Field.
With
the win, the Mountaineers improve to 2-0 on the young season, as Asheville goes
to 1-2.
The
defense shined all match, only allowing the Bulldogs to take three shots and
not allowing one to trouble junior goalkeeper Danny Free. App State tallied 13
shots in the second period after only posting three in the first 45 minutes.
"I
think it's a testament to the team that we can go out and defend for 180
minutes and not give up a shot on goal," head coach Matt Nelson said. "We
defended as an entire team so you have to give the credit to the entire team."
After
a slow opening half, senior Nate Latigue got Appalachian on the scoreboard
after a long run down the slideline and striking a shot in the top right
corner. For Latigue, the 47th minute goal was the sixth of his
career.
"We
thought we came out a bit flat in the first half," Nelson said. "The second
half we wanted to press them higher and add a little bit more intensity to the
game."
Three
minutes later, Latigue looked to have scored his second goal of the match, but
a late foul called in the box on the Mountaineers took the goal off the
scoreboard.
After
a few chances, senior midfielder David Dodge was fouled in the box, earning a
penalty kick in the 84th minute. The senior knocked in his second of
the season on a penalty kick, beating Asheville's Dan Jackson to his left.
Seconds
after Dodge's second goal of the season, sophomore Stanley Broaden found room
behind the Asheville defense scored on a breakaway. It was Broaden's first of his
career, as the sophomore slid the ball past Jackson's left side.
The
defense held for the rest of the match to close out Appalachian's second win of
the season. Free records his 11 shutout of his career, second of the season
without recording a save.
The
Apps will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 2 as they will return home against
UNC Wilmington. Kickoff is set for3 p.m. following the women's match against
Longwood at 12 p.m.