BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University men's soccer (3-3-1) got back on track with its first shutout victory of the season over Longwood (0-4-1), 1-0, on Saturday evening at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
The Mountaineers' shutout triumph is the first at home since last season's 2-0 win over Howard on Oct. 8, while the Apps already match last season's win total at Ted Mack.
"We're pleased for the team to get a shutout and a win," head coach
Jason O'Keefe said after the victory. "It has been a goal for awhile to get a shutout and we had just missed out on some earlier this season. We learned a lot from the previous two games and it helped tonight. We are excited to build off this and play at UNCG next Saturday."
Appalachian struck the game's only goal at 17' when
Juan Hernandez led
Reed Hunnicutt for a beautiful setup that turned into a clear shot past the goalkeeper for the freshman's first-career goal at App. Hunnicutt becomes the seventh different Mountaineer to notch a score this season, while he is the fifth newcomer to tally a goal. Hernandez' first assist of the season gives him a team-high five points after seven matches.
The defense dug down and played exceptionally well to give App the win. The trio of
Jeremy Tshongo,
Brady Gunter and Zeiko Harris were active on the backline, while
Jake Chasteen came away with his first clean sheet. Chasteen registered two saves including a leaping stop that kept the zero on the scoreboard.
Hunnicutt would end up with two shots at the frame while Harris' header inside the box almost gave App another score, and
Parker Washburn had a near goal as well.
App State will look to keep the momentum going when it heads to Greensboro, N.C. for a 7 p.m. match next Saturday against UNCG.
