BOONE, N.C. – Senior forward Stanley Broaden played the hero on Wednesday evening for Appalachian State University men's soccer when he netted his fifth career game-winning goal and sixth of the season to lift the Mountaineers to a 2-1 win over Jacksonville.
"I thought we did a pretty good job of limiting their opportunities at goal. It's unfortunate that their only real good look in the game resulted in their goal," said head coach Matt Nelson. "I thought we played well at the start of the second half and we still have to do a better job of putting teams away when we're on top, but credit to our guys for battling for 90 minutes and finding a way to win the game. Now we shift our focus to Howard and the Sun Belt Conference this weekend."
The Mountaineers (4-5-2, 0-0-1 Sun Belt) got off to a quick start in the 15th minute when Alex Herbst chipped a free kick outside the 18-yard box and gave Donovan Japp the space to cross it in front of the net on one touch and allow Alex Beranger to collect his second goal of the season and career.
App State would continue to dominate play and carry a 1-0 lead into halftime. Coming out of the locker room, Jacksonville began the second half more aggresively and managed to tie the game in the 57th minute. Rijad Kobiljar ripped a shot from about 20 yards out to tally the equalizer.
Appalachian recovered and regained possession of the ball for the rest of the half. It wasn't until the 88:31 mark that Japp sent a great through ball up toward the near side for Broaden to chase and put a great touch on the ball to beat the keeper to the near side and give App State the victory.
Holland Hammond earned the start in net and his first career win between the pipes for the Mountaineers. Hammond made two saves on the night, while sniffing out any close opportunity that came in his box.
The Apps led in shots 14-7, including shots on goal 6-2. The Mountaineers attempted one more corner than the Dolphins and led that category, 4-3.
Leading in shots for Appalachian State was Broaden with five, including three on goal. Beranger, Trey Hemphill and Patrick Harrow each tallied two a piece, while three others collected one shot.
The Mountaineers will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 11 when they travel to Washington, D.C. to challenge new Sun Belt foe Howard. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.
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