BOONE, N.C.-- The Appalachian State men's soccer team looks to close out the regular season with a win, hosting Georgia State on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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Last Time Out
The Mountaineers were defeated at Georgia Southern, 1-0, last Saturday in Statesboro. The game was scoreless until the 60th minute when Azaad Liadi scored for the visitors. The Mountaineers battled but were unable to find the back of the net, taking nine shots, two of which were on goal.
Sun Belt Standings
The final three matches will determine the seeding for this year's Sun Belt Men's Soccer Championship. Numerous scenarios cannot be determined until the results are final because conference tiebreakers include total goals and goal differential as factors to break ties among two or more teams.
Central Arkansas (9-6-1, 3-1 Sun Belt) has the only clear path to win the regular-season title and earn the championship's No. 1 seed. The Bears can accomplish that with a win or tie against Howard (5-10-1, 2-2). A win by the Bison combined with wins by Appalachian State (10-5-1, 2-2) and Georgia Southern (7-7-2, 2-2) or Coastal Carolina (7-7-2, 2-2) could result in as many as four teams tied for the regular-season title with nine points each.
Defensive Mentality
The App State defense currently leads the Sun Belt in goals allowed (17) and goals against average (1.040). The Mountaineers' goals against average is also ranked 50th in the NCAA. App State's shutout percentage of .438 sits at 33rd nationally, while the team save percentage of .761 is good for 52nd in the nation. Goalkeeper
Jacob Madden's seven shutouts are ranked 16th nationally (1
st in Sun Belt) and his 10 wins as a goalkeeper rank him first in the conference.
United Soccer Coaches Ranking
The Mountaineers have recently been ranked 8th in the Southeast Region in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. This is the ninth straight week the Mountaineers have been ranked in the top 10 of the region.
Scouting Georgia State
The Panthers come into Saturday's match with a record of 9-4-3, their last match a 2-0 loss at home to Central Arkansas. Aris Briggs leads the team in goals (12) and is currently tied for 11th in the nation in scoring. Dylan Morris leads team in assists with four. Goalkeeper Paul Tyson has started in all but one game this year, posting a save percentage of .757.
Series History
The Panthers lead the overall series with a record of 6-3-2, with the last matchup a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods in Boone.
Up Next
The match against Georgia State will be the last regular season game for the Mountaineers. The Sun Belt Tournament takes place Nov. 13-17 in Boone.
