BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University men's soccer (2-0) seeks to build off the momentum from last weekend into its two home matches this weekend, starting with its home opener against VMI (0-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m. followed by a Labor Day matchup against Belmont (0-1) at 1 p.m.
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About the Mountaineers
App started the season off with a bang last weekend earning a pair of road victories in Florida against Jacksonville in a 3-2 overtime triumph and a 2-0 shutout over North Florida two days later.
Camden Holbrook couldn't have had more of a stellar opening weekend, posting four goals with two assists, two game winner and nine points in the two triumphs. The freshman became the first player since 2009 (Arie Muniz) to record a hat trick including the game winner in overtime against the Dolphins. He later added a goal in the second period against the Ospreys, which became the game winner and later assisted on fellow freshman
Alex Hernandez' first-career tally that pushed App to the eventual victory.
Conference and National Accolades
For his exceptional weekend, Holbrook was named Sun Belt's Offensive Player of the Week and the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week. The forward leads the Sun Belt in goals, game-winning scores, and points, while he's tied for first in the nation going into the weekend in all three categories. Following the pair of wins with his first clean sheet of the season, six saves and .95 goals against average,
Jake Chasteen was awarded the Sun Belt Defensive Athlete of the Week award for the second time in his career. He notched his 10th career clean sheet against the Ospreys with three saves.
Fast Start
The Mountaineers are off to their first 2-0 start since the 2012 campaign, while the two road victories are the first back-to-back wins away from home since 2015. App already matched last season's win total on the road. With a win on Saturday, the Mountaineers will have their first 3-0 start since 2008.
Promotions
On Monday following the matchup against the Bruins, Appalachian will host a free kid's clinic hosted by the App State men's soccer student-athletes and players. To join, all you have to do is register HERE
Scouting VMI
The Keydets are 0-2 after falling to Longwood (3-0) and Liberty (5-0) last weekend. VMI is coached by third-year head coach Michael Bonelli. Justin Riescher leads the team with one shot on goal, while Broden Schull has started in the net in both matches for the Keydets.
Scouting Belmont
Belmont is 0-1 after falling to Lipscomb in its season opener. It'll play Campbell on Saturday at 1 p.m. before the matchup against the Black and Gold. Bryan Green is on the Belmont sidelines for his fourth season, returning 18 returners and eight newcomers. The Bruins switched over to the SoCon, where they were picked to finish sixth in the league. Belmont finished 5-9-2 in 2017.
Series History
VMI: App State is a dominating 36-2-1 against VMI and at one point won 33 straight contests for its longest unbeaten streak against one team. The Mountaineers' last matchup came in 2008 when VMI came away with a rare win, 2-0.
Belmont: The Mountaineers are 2-0-1 all-time against the Bruins. App came away with a 1-0 overtime win in 2015 on the road.
What's Next
The Mountaineers hit the road next weekend to face former SoCon rival, ETSU at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8
