Georgia Southern 1, UNC Asheville 0
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Georgia Southern got back in the win column with a 1-0 victory over UNC Asheville to close the Asheville Invitational. Eric Dinka lashed a 48th-minute strike to put the Eagles up 1-0 and the defense made it stick by holding the Bulldogs to just two shots on goal.
The Eagles are back at home for six of their next seven games starting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Presbyterian College from Eagle Field.
There was nothing between the teams in the opening period despite some solid attacking opportunities for the Eagles in the first half. GSU took 10 shots in the first half to Asheville’s seven.
The Eagles took advantage of a UNC Asheville error early in the second half as Dinka intercepted a Bulldog pass and made his way to the center of the pitch. He struck a right-footed shot from 20 yards that found its way over the UNCA keeper and snuck under the crossbar to give GSU a 1-0 advantage in the 48th minute.
That strike would be enough for the Eagles, who controlled the stats all match. The Eagles finished with a 21-12 lead in total shots and a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Eagle goalkeeper Neal Bates recorded his second shutout on the season while having to make just two official saves on the afternoon.
Bates, Hunter Norton and Aidan Reising were each named to the all-tournament team with the Eagles finishing second in the Asheville Invitational.
Appalachian State 1, Belmont 1 (2OT)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Appalachian State tied Belmont 1-1 on Sunday, the last day of the Lipscomb Invitational.
The Bruins (3-2-1) got on the board first when Nate Hubert scored off of a Nico Olsak corner kick in the 15th minute of the game.
The Mountaineers (1-1-5) responded less than 15 minutes later, as Donovan Japp added his second goal of the season on an assist from Trey Hemphill on a cross into the box for the equalizer in the 29th minute.
Neither squad was able to find the back of the net in the second half or either overtime period, as the Mountaineers picked up a draw for the third straight match.
Japp led the team with three shots, while Hemphill had two. The Mountaineers finished with a 14-11 advantage in shots over the Bruins. The Mountaineers finished with five corners to the Bruins’ four and committed 15 fouls to Belmont’s 10.
Danny Free started for App State and made three saves and allowed just the one goal in the contest.
The Mountaineers will return to action on Thursday when they travel to Johnson City, Tenn., to face the Buccaneers of ETSU. Kickoff for that game is set for 7 p.m.