As has become a summer tradition, appstatesports.com is counting down Appalachian State University athletics' 30 most memorable games, matches and meets from the 2014-15 academic year. This year's countdown begins on Monday, July 6 and will continue until Tuesday, August 4, the opening day of Appalachian State football's fall camp.
Be sure to check appstatesports.com each day to relive all of the Mountaineers' most lasting memories of an exciting and successful 2014-15.
Chapman's Goal Sends Men's Soccer to Semifinals
November 13, 2014
STATESBORO, Ga. – Rallying behind a late Stephen Chapman goal in the 78th minute, Appalachian State University men's soccer advanced to the Sun Belt Conference tournament semifinals in what was its third-straight victory in a 1-0 win over NJIT – the second win against the Highlanders in as many games.
The victory for the Mountaineers puts them in a semifinal match with the No. 1 seeded Hartwick Hawks on Friday, November 14. Kick off for that match is slated for 3 p.m. App State drew Hartwick 0-0 in two overtimes earlier this season in New York.
"It was always going to be a tough game against a team that we played less than a week ago," said head coach Matt Nelson. "Both teams created chances and we showed enough quality up top to get the goal. Now we need to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for a very tough game tomorrow afternoon."
On Thursday evening, the Mountaineers (7-7-3) seemingly controlled possession for the majority of both halves and generated more shots and scoring chances than the Highlanders. In the first 45 minutes, App State outshot NJIT 11-6 and held a 3-2 advantage in shots on frame. Both teams went into the locker room tied at 0-0.
The second half was more of the same from the composed Mountaineers. After knocking on the door all game, Appalachian finally broke through at the 77:49 mark when Chapman tallied his third goal in as many games for the eventual game-winner.
Chapman was able to beat Christian Foust diving to his left and placed it in the lower right part of the goal to propel the Black and Gold to the semifinals. The Greensboro, N.C. native led the Mountaineers with seven shots, including four on goal.
Keegan Tanaka and Patrick Harrow both collected three shots a piece, while Alex Herbst tallied two and Ben Steen, Stanley Broaden, Mason McCarter and Walker White recorded one shot each.
Paul West came up huge for the Mountaineers and made five saves, his most since Sept. 30 at Duke, while earning his third clean sheet of the season.
The win also marked the first postseason tournament victory for the Mountaineers since the 2012 Southern Conference tournament when App State defeated College of Charleston 2-1.
Appalachian State Athletics' Most Memorable Moments of 2014-15
No. 30: Baseball 5, ETSU 4 (May 12, 2015)
No. 29: Softball 14, Georgia State 5 (April 12, 2015)
No. 28: Women's Tennis 5, North Carolina Central 1 (February 22, 2015)
No. 27: Field Hockey 5, Pacific 4 (October 25, 2014)
No. 26: Men's Tennis 7, Georgia Southern 0 (March 17, 2015)
No. 25: Men's Basketball 74, Arkansas State 73 (January 3, 2015)
No. 24: Volleyball 3, Troy 2 (September 21, 2014)
No. 23: Women's Soccer 3, Troy 2 – 2 OT (October 10, 2014)
No. 22: Men's Soccer 1, NJIT 0 (November 13, 2014)
