Rounding out the 2019 Appalachian State men's soccer preview are the forwards. With a strong group of returners and newcomers, the Apps look to be a constant offensive threat for opposing teams.
"From the back line to the front, our team will be versatile, strong and crafty. Everybody has the ability to produce big moments, whether that's earning shutouts, scoring goals or setting up goals," head coach
Jason O'Keefe said. "It's going to be an exciting fall and I think the team is deep, which is our biggest strength."
The Apps return their leading goal scorer from a season ago,
Camden Holbrook. During his rookie campaign, the striker was the only freshman in the Sun Belt to lead his team in goals with six and points (13), which earned him second team All-Sun Belt. Holbrook tied for first among freshmen in the league in goals and was first overall in points.
Senior
Austin Hill was also a second team All-Sun Belt selection, appearing in 15 matches for the Black & Gold. He tallied two goals and one assist for five points, which was fourth on the team. His final goal on the year came in the victory over then-No. 22 Coastal Carolina, giving the Apps their first win over a ranked opponent since 2009.
A quartet of sophomores will also see time up top for the Mountaineers.
Aldo Tarantini returns after playing in all 17 matches as a rookie. He scored his first-career goal in a 3-0 victory at George Mason.
Charlie Baird also appeared in all 17 matches, tying for second on the team in assists with two.
Kelan Swales, a sophomore transfer from Marshall, and redshirt sophomore
Roman Galaska also look to make a splash this fall.
The Mountaineers add two newcomers to their attack in
Nick Rogers and
Kelvin Mulinya. Rogers, a Westfield, Ind. native, was named All-Conference, All-District, and All-IHSAA as a junior. As a senior, the striker was one of the top five highest voted players on the All-State team.
Kelvin Mulinya joins the Mountaineers from Montverde Academy. Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Mulinya played club ball on the SIMA Gold team.
