BOONE, N.C. – The Appalachian State men's soccer team took a 3-0 victory over Howard Wednesday night in the opening round of the Sun Belt Men's Soccer Championship. The Mountaineers advance to the semifinals and are set to take on the No. 2 seed Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Friday at 7 p.m.
With the win, App State moves to 11-6-1, its highest win total since the 2002 season when the Mountaineers recorded 13 wins. Howard ends its season at 5-12-1.
"It was a highly contested match like they all are through the regular season and tournament. Howard is a great team and they put up a tremendous fight," head coach
Jason O'Keefe said. "We got the first two goals and controlled a lot of things. They're dangerous on the counter and now we've just got to tighten some things up and get ready for Coastal. I couldn't be happier for the guys to get a win and shutout in the first round."
App State recorded its eighth shutout of the season, which is the most recorded shutouts since the 2011 season when the Mountaineers posted 11.
The Mountaineers used two first half goals, and a goal at the end of the second half to take the win over Howard.
Mason Robicheaux got the scoring started in the 20
th minute, finishing a corner kick sent into the box by
Dimitris Moraitakis for Robicheaux'a second goal and game-winner of the season.
Marc Pfrogner added the insurance goal in the 44
th minute, finishing a well-played ball from
Nick Rogers. That is Pfrogner's first goal of the season and first assist for
Nick Rogers. App ended the first half with six shots compared to four from the Bison.
Jacob Madden made one save in the opening 45 minutes off a shot from Javauni Garwood, the only time he was tested all match.
The Mountaineer defense took over in the second half, keeping the Bison scoreless and holding them to just four shots, none of which were on goal. App State continued to press offensively, taking nine more shots in the second half. Howard goalkeeper Carlos Caro ended the match with six total saves.
Alex Hernandez capped the night with his fifth goal of the season, converting a penalty kick in the final seconds of the game to give the Mountaineers' the 3-0 advantage.
Prior to App State's match against Coastal Carolina, No. 5 seed Georgia State will take on No. 1 seed Central Arkansas in the first semifinal match at 4 p.m.. The winner of each match on Friday advances to the championship on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
