BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University men's soccer is winding down its first spring semester under new head coach Jason O'Keefe. The Mountaineers have been working hard on the field, in the classroom, and in the community as they prepare for the 2016 season.
Spring Competition
App State started its spring campaign on the road against 2015 national-finalist Clemson. The Mountaineers competed hard and did not concede a goal through the first 80 minutes of the game. The Tigers went on to win, 1-0, but the Black and Gold took away positives from the defeat against great competition.
Appalachian followed up the loss with a 5-0 victory over Lees-McRae College and got goals from four different Mountaineers at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex in game two of the spring. Next on the slate, the Apps traveled to in-state rival UNC Asheville on April 3. The contest versus the Bulldogs ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Mountaineers remained on the road as they traveled to Greensboro, N.C. to participate in the Kirk Urso Memorial Matches. App State faced High Point and came out with a, 3-0, victory in their best performance of the spring.
In the final match of the spring, the Apps welcomed junior college national champions Louisburg College to Boone. The Mountaineers played well but ultimately fell, 2-1, to the national champs.
In the Community
App State men's soccer has been extremely active out in the community over the course of the spring. The team helped construct a new playground for the children at Hardin Park Elementary School. They also participated in a color run at Valle Crucis Elementary, where they threw color at the kids as they ran by and then played soccer with some of the participants.
The Apps also were a part of the 10th annual People of the Planet event that celebrates the the diversity of Boone and the App State community by using soccer as a vehicle.
Lastly, the Mountaineers volunteered their time at the Special Olympics at Watauga High School.
Awards and Honors
Men's soccer took home two major awards at the 2016 APPSPYS. Paul West was awarded the Brakefield Award, given to the graduating student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average for the December graduating class.
Jake Chasteen was honored with the Rick Edmundson Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a native of North Carolina who is not on athletic scholarship, but one who shows leadership and has made uncommon contributions to the athletic program and to the University.
At the first-annual Letter Winners Ceremony, O'Keefe awarded Ian Bennett, Chasteen, Raheem Somersall, Daniel Avila, Caleb Moore, and Chris O'Grady with letter jackets for their contributions during the 2015 season as first-year players.
Summer Camps
The Mountaineers will host team and individual camps on June 11-14 and July 10-13. App State will also hold College ID Camp on June 19-22 and Academy ID & Preseason Team Camp on July 29-31.
