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BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University men's soccer will head to Raleigh, N.C. for a 7 p.m. exhibition contest against NC State on Sunday at Dail Soccer Stadium
The Mountaineers have three preseason contests in preparation for the Aug. 25 season opener at Old Dominion in Norfolk. Appalachian is heading into head coach
Jason O'Keefe's second season after a five-win campaign last season. App was involved in some close matches where nine contests were decided by one goal or led to a draw.
Appalachian will look to reload in the scoring department as the top four leaders in goals scored departed to graduation.
Daniel Avila and
Raheem Somersall are the lone Mountaineers returning that notched a score in 2016. Avila also tied a team high with two assists as well. The Mountaineers return nine starters from last season, including sophomore goalkeeper
Jake Agnew.
Agnew had a solid debut campaign as he posted a .98 goals against average, which was second in the Sun Belt while tallying 38 saves in the process. Others returning include
Cooper Coughlin and
Thibaut Arpinon, who had seven and five shots on goal, respectively. The tandem will look to have breakout seasons and help App contend for a Sun Belt title.
App brings in 14 newcomers that expect to contribute immediately for the Black and Gold. All 14 have a winning mentality that stems from their high school success.
NC State is coming off a five-win season in 2016 and will return six starters with 13 letter winners returning. The Wolf Pack are led by first-year head coach George Kiefer. NC State's top two point leaders and goal scorers in Julius Duchscherer( 9 G, 4 A - 22 pts.) and Tanner Roberts ( 4 G, 2 A - 10 pts.) also return.
The Mountaineers will return to action on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. for the annual Black and Gold scrimmage.
