Appalachian State 2, High Point 0
BOONE, N.C. ? The Appalachian State men’s soccer team played a complete game en route to the 2-0 victory over High Point. With the win Appalachian improves to 3-1-1, the High Point Panthers fall to 0-4-1 in defeat.
“I was pleased with out composure today,” said head coach Paul Stahlschmidt. “We were persistent with what we were trying to do, and it eventually payed off for us.”
With nearly an hour gone, Appalachian broke into scoreless deadlock with a Ramsey Ammar header. Senior Corey Lugger delivered a corner kick to the far post and diving head of Ammar for his third assist of the season. The goal which came in the 58th minute is the first of Ramsey’s career.
In the 88th minute, Appalachian extended the lead to 2-0. Sophomore Aaron Ammar won the ball at the top of the penalty area and dribbled into some open space. Aaron unleashed a hard shot into the top right hand corner to earn his second career goal and first of the season.
Senior Greg Walters earned the start in goal, his first of the season. Walters made one save to cement his fourth career shutout and first win this season.
Appalachian led the shot totals by a 13-5 margin. The Mountaineers committed 11 fouls while drawing only eight.
Appalachian will now take a week off, returning to action on Wednesday September 19 with a trip to Winthrop. The match against the Eagles kicks off at 7:00 p.m. The next home match is three days later when the Mountaineers host Radford on Saturday September 22 at 2:00 p.m.
North Carolina State 1, Georgia Southern 0
RALEIGH, N.C. ? Georgia Southern was edged 1-0 by host North Carolina State, Wednesday afternoon, at Derr Stadium after the Wolfpack held on to a first-half lead.
NC State improves to 3-1-1 overall, while the Eagles, playing its fifth of seven games on the road, fall to 1-4-0 on the season.
Georgia Southern’s Jarryd Nolette (Windermere, Fla.) and Jon Kinsler (Ormond Beach, Fla.) fired the Eagles’ first two shots in the first half, but both went wide.
The stalemate was broken by the Wolfpack at the 29:34 mark when El Hadj Cisse shot a winner just inside the 18-yard box. Teammate Jorge Mora set up the attack after crossing it to Cisse from the right wing.
Patrick Johns came off the bench and posted the Eagles third shot in the 40th minute, but it also sailed wide.
The Wolfpack held a 7-3 advantage in shots at the break, while goalkeeper Joey Ralph (Martinez, Ga.) made a solo save.
In the second half both teams increased their offensive attack, matching the first half’s shots and adding one more, apiece.
One of the Eagles’ best opportunities to tie up the match came in the 64th minute when Andres Cabrero (Mableton, Ga.) fired a shot, but it was saved by goalkeeper Christopher Wildeman.
The Wolfpack continued to apply pressure in the front as evidenced by its eight second-half shots. Ralph was there to make two saves, helping to keep the Eagles in the game.
One more opportunity for the Eagles to tie up the match came in the 79th minute off the foot of Jon-Pierre Anthony (Birmingham, Ala.), but Wildeman was there to make the stop.
Wildeman garnered the victory, having made two saves on the day. Ralph finished the game with three stops in 90 minutes of play.
NC State led the Eagles in shots by a 15-7 margin. The Wolfpack claimed a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The Eagles tough road schedule continues with a pair of games at the Wingate Inn Classic, hosted by Winthrop University. Winthrop will entertain GSU on Friday, Sep. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Then after a day off, the Eagles will play on neutral ground against Radford, Sunday, Sep. 16 at 12 p.m.