BOONE, N.C. -- The Appalachian State men's soccer team opens Sun Belt play on Sunday, making the trip to Conway, Ark. to take on Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. CT.
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Last Time Out
App State competed in its first overtime match this season, playing to a 1-1 draw with East Tennessee State Tuesday night. The Mountaineers moved to 6-2-1 and 5-1-1 at home.
The Mountaineers were able to take the lead late in the first half, but a Buccaneer goal with five seconds to play in regulation sent the match into overtime. Senior
Austin Hill was the goal scorer for App State, streaking down the right side and sliding the ball past ETSU's goalkeeper, Josh Perryman, for his first goal of the season. Despite the Mountaineers taking a 1-0 lead into the half, App State and ETSU were even in shots at six apiece.
The Buccaneers saw more opportunities in the second half, taking 11 shots compared to eight by the Apps. With five seconds to go, ETSU took advantage of an App State foul outside of the box. Gilbert Miller was able to find the back of the net off a rebound.
Sun Belt Player of the Week
Junior
Brady Gunter was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. This marks the defender's first career Sun Belt Player of the Week honor, and the Mountaineers' third defensive honor this season. Gunter made an impact in App State's 1-0 win over UNC Asheville last Wednesday, playing all 90 minutes in the Mountaineers' fourth shutout of the season.
Strong Backline
The Appalachian State defense currently leads the Sun Belt in goals allowed (7) and goals against average (.78). The Apps' four shutouts also lead the conference, with Georgia State following with three. Madden also leads all conference goalkeepers with a .821 save percentage. His 32 saves are also a conference-high. Appalachian's overall save percentage of .837 sits at 11
th nationally.
United Soccer Coaches Ranking
App State was recently ranked 6th in the Southeast region by United Soccer Coaches, ahead of Sun Belt opponents Georgia State (7th) Central Arkansas (10th). This is the fourth straight week the Mountaineer have been ranked top 10 in the Southeast region.
Scouting Central Arkansas
The Bears enter Sunday's match 4-4-1, coming off a 3-0 set back to No. 8 SMU on Tuesday night. The match against App State will serve as UCA's conference opener as well. Niklas Brodacki and Kasper Andersen lead the Bears' offense. Brodacki has tallied five goals and one assist for 11 total points, while Andersen has two goals and two assists for six points. Marc Olsen has played every minute between the posts for UCA, making 22 saves with a 1.19 goals against average.
Series History
This will be the second meeting between the two teams, with the Mountaineers taking down the Bears, 2-1, in 2017.
Up Next
App State returns home on Oct. 12 to start a three-game homestand beginning with Howard at 7 p.m. next Saturday.
