NORFOLK, Va. - Newly acquainted Appalachian State University men's soccer student-athlete Michael Davidson notched a goal in his first-career match, but it wasn't enough in the season opener against Old Dominion on Friday evening at ODU Soccer Complex.
The Monarchs (1-0) needed a late goal in the 84th minute of the match to push past Appalachian (0-1) for the victory, 2-1.
"Hats off to ODU," head coach Jason O'Keefe said. " It was a tough first match starting five freshmen and playing nine overall. We lacked some discipline at times and were hard done for it. However, there was many bright spots which we will build on and get better from. The group dug deep and equalized down a goal and a man. We need to recover and get focused on a very talented VCU team. Our goal is to improver every game which we will look to do on Sunday."
Both teams played to a 0-0 first half despite an aggressive ODU team that took 11 shots, four of which were on goal. Jake Chasteen was able to come away with all four saves to keep the clean sheet in the first frame.
It wasn't until the first two minutes into the second period that the hosts would score as Brandon Perdue gave his team the 1-0 lead. Appalachian quickly struck back just 53 seconds later when Reed Hunnicutt played a free kick into the middle of the box that found his freshman teammate for the score.
With the match at a 1-1 stalemate, the Apps couldn't get any more momentum on offense, while Marc Pfrogner was the only Mountaineer that was able to get a shot at the target the rest of the way.
Appalachian will have to make the quick turnaround on Sunday for a 7 p.m. match against VCU in Richmond.
