BOONE, N.C. – The Appalachian State men's soccer team took a 3-0 setback Saturday night, falling to Georgia State in the regular season finale. With the win, the Panthers move to 10-4-3, 2-3-0 in the Sun Belt. App State falls to 10-6-1, 2-3-0 in conference play.
Aris Briggs, the Sun Belt's leading scorer, scored the first two goals of the match in the first half. The Panthers' goals were scored in the 10
th and 15
th minutes.
The best chance for the Mountaineers in the first half happened in the opening, with
Austin Hill taking a shot that was saved on the goal line by a Panther defender.
Aldo Tarantini followed it up with a shot off the cross bar.
Georgia State went into the half leading 2-0. The Panthers also led the Mountaineers in shots, taking eight compared to six by the Mountaineers.
App State came out and put pressure on Georgia State in the second half, taking eight shots compared to just two by the Panthers. The Mountaineers had multiple opportunities that they missed high or wide.
Kelan Swales led App State in shots, taking four. Tarantini finished the match with three. App State also held the edge in corner kicks, taking seven compared to one by Georgia State.
The Panthers' final goal was scored in the 85
th minute as George Proctor finished a free kick from around the 30-yard line, into the upper 90. Briggs ended the match with four shots, followed by Matthew Fearnley with two.
App State now awaits the seeding of the Sun Belt Championship, which begins Wednesday, Nov. 13 in Boone.
