As has become a summer tradition, appstatesports.com is counting down Appalachian State University athletics' 30 most memorable games, matches and meets from the 2015-16 academic year. This year's countdown begins on Tuesday, July 5 and will continue until Tuesday, August 2.

Be sure to check appstatesports.com each day to relive all of the Mountaineers' most lasting memories of an exciting and successful 2015-16.

Mountaineers Down NJIT, Advance to SBC Semifinal

Nov. 12, 2015

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University men's soccer won the opening game of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Thursday evening when it defeated NJIT, 2-1, to set up a matchup against regular season champion Hartwick tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.

"I thought we started slowly, but we took over the game as it wore on and especially when we went up a man," said head coach Matt Nelson. "We handled the situation very well, but we can't wait until we are down 1-0 to start playing tomorrow."

The Mountaineers (8-9) used two set piece goals to edge the Highlanders (5-10-4) in a very physical match.

The Highlanders took an early lead when Joshua Mercer had the ball fall to him at the top of the box in the 13th minute. Mercer fired a hard-low shot through a crowd of App State defenders and past Jake Chasteen into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Appalachian fired six shots in the first half but the only one that was on goal came from Trey Hemphill on a free kick in the 40th minute. Hemphill launched the free kick through a crowded penalty box and into the back of the net for the equalizing goal. The goal was Hemphill's second goal of the season.

Just before the halftime whistle, NJIT's Danny Cordeiro was issued a red card for physical play after a whistle had been blown. With Cordeiro sent off, the Highlanders had to play the second half with 10 men.

Stephen Chapman a chance to break the tie in the 71st minute when he followed the rebound of shot by Hemphill only to have it blocked by a Highlander defender.

The Apps scored the game-winning goal when a free kick gave Alex Herbst a chance to play a ball into the box. Herbst crossed the ball into the box and Alex Beranger was able to rise up and head the ball off the left post and into goal.

The Apps will get a rematch against Hartwick in the semifinal. Appalachian had the a 1-0 lead in the first meeting between the two schools but gave up two late goals to drop the contest 2-1.

Appalachian State Athletics' Most Memorable Moments of 2015-16 
No. 30: Women's Tennis 4, Georgia Southern 2 (April 20, 2016)
No. 29: App State Knocks Off No. 24 Duke (December 15, 2015)
No. 28: Another 8-7 Walkoff Win Clinches Series Victory (April 4, 2016)
No. 27: Apps Catch Fire in Resilient Win (January 28, 2016)
No. 26: Mountaineers Receive Votes for AP Top 25 (October 15, 2015)
No. 25: Men's Tennis Ousts Troy, Advances to SBC Semis (April 22, 2016)
No. 24: Apps Down GSU with Clutch Plays in Late Moments (Feb. 27, 2016)
No. 23: Frank Eaves Nets 1,000 Career points in 76-67 Win over GSU (Jan. 21, 2015)
No. 22: Jalin Moore Breaks Freshman Rushing Record in 47-20 Win (Nov. 14, 2015)
No. 21: Van Ord Leads App State with 10,000-Meter Win - Sun Belt Champ (May 13, 2016)
No. 20: Broaden Claims Sun Belt Title in 400-Meter Hurdles - Sun Belt Champ (May 13, 2016)
No. 19: Moriarty Cards Career-Low 65; Ties Program Record (March 7, 2016)
No. 18: Pepper Butler Graduates During Special Ceremony (March 19, 2016)
No. 17: Mountaineers Down NJIT, Advance to SBC Semifinal (Nov. 12, 2015)