Mountaineers (left to right) Jaclyn Hoffman, Casey Cleary, Paige Morrow and Stephanie Balzano celebrate after Cleary nets the tying goal (Photo: Ben McKeown) Game statistics

Second Half Goals Lift Appalachian Over Charleston Southern 2-1
by ASU Sports Information

Sept. 16, 2007 - BOONE, N.C. — The Appalachian State women’s soccer team rallied in the second half to a 2-1 victory over Charleston Southern at the ASU Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Mountaineers improve to 3-0-2, while the CSU Buccaneers fall to 2-2-0 on the season. Sunday’s win improved the program’s overall record to 99-134-20, leaving the Mountaineers one win short of the century mark in their 14th year of existence

“We played well today,” said head coach Ben Popoola. “We gave up an early goal which put us behind. We came back after halftime and dominated possession in the second half; giving ourselves plenty of chances. The real difference was that we put away our chances when we got them.”

Appalchian’s season shutout came to an end 2:58 into the match as CSU’s Alyssa Clay netted the early goal from 12 yards out. The Mountaineers went the first 402:58 without allowing a goal, one of the longest shutout streaks in the nation.

The Mountaineers struggled to piece together meaningful chances throughout the first half. Appalachian trailed 1-0 into the intermission, but found the equalizer only seven minutes after the break. Senior Jaclyn Hoffman found junior Casey Cleary on the wing at the edge of the penalty area with a cutting pass. Cleary dribbled a few yards closer and took the scoring shot from 10 yards out.

The goal is Cleary’s second of the season and 18th of her career, moving her into a tie with Allison Osborne for fourth place on the all-time scoring chart. Hoffman’s assist is her first of the season and 11th in her career. Hoffman needs only one assist to move into a tie for third place on the all-time assist chart with Jennifer Rudy.

The Apps took the lead two minutes later on the wings of a goal from sophomore Stephanie Balzano. A couple of quick passes at the top of the 18-yard box from Cleary to sophomore Caroline Lowe and then from Lowe to Balzano were employed to find open space. Balzano found the net from 22 yards to give Appalachian the lead that they would not surrender.

The goal is the second of Balzano’s season and career at Appalachian. Lowe and Cleary both earned assists, their first of the season.

Sophomore Emma White earned the win in goal to improve to 2-0-1 on the season. White stopped seven shots and allowed her first goal of the season in the match.

Appalachian will now go on the road for their next three matches with trips to Longwood on September 20 (7:00 p.m.) , VMI on Sept. 22 (1:00 p.m.) and Davidson on Sept. 27 (7:00 p.m.). The next home match is on Sept. 30 as the Mountaineers will take on College of Charleston at 1:00 p.m. at the ASU Soccer Stadium.