Georgia Southern University
9-7 (3-2SBC)
Appalachian State
5-8-5 (0-3-2SBC)
Team Stats
Javier Carbonell (4)
GS Javier Carbonell PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 4 for season.
36:52
Emil Laursen (1)
Assisted By: Javier Carbonell
7 corners to box before 4 scores in scru
44:58
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
GS Men's Soccer Blanks Appalachian State, 2-0, In Regular Season Finale
11/4/2017 10:44:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Eagles will be the No. 3 seed in the Sun Belt tourney and face the Mountaineers again in the first round
BOONE, N.C. - The Georgia Southern men's soccer squad defeated Appalachian State, 2-0, in Sun Belt Conference action on Saturday night in its regular season finale. The Eagles wrap up the 2017 season riding a three-match win streak and will be the No. 3 seed in next week's Sun Belt Conference tournament.
The Eagles (9-7, 3-2 SBC) will face tonight's opponent, sixth-seeded Appalachian State (5-8-5, 0-3-2 SBC), on Thursday, November 9th, at a time to be determined in the first round of the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Championships in Conway, S.C. Host Coastal Carolina is the No. 1 seed and Georgia State is the No. 2 seed, and both teams will receive first-round byes.
The win on Saturday also clinches the first winning season for Georgia Southern men's soccer since the 2006 campaign, and head coach John Murphy has now directed his third different school to a winning record in just his second season at the respective institution (Assumption, 1999 & Anderson (SC), 2013).
Neither team was able to register a shot in the first 20 minutes of the match. Blake Wilson had a header saved by Appalachian State goalkeeper Jake Agnew at the 21 minute mark, then the Eagles had a few more shots before a handball in the box set up the first goal of the match, a penalty kick that was converted by Javier Carbonell in the 37th minute, his third goal of the year, for the 1-0 lead.
The Eagles got a crucial second goal just before halftime as Carbonell delivered a corner kick into the box, and Emil Laursen emerged from a crowd to head the ball into goal with just two seconds left in the half at the 44:58 mark. It was the junior's first goal of the season. Georgia Southern outshot the Mountaineers 6-0 in the first half to take the two-goal lead into the break.
In the second half, the Mountaineers got their first shot in the 50th minute on a header by Michael Davidson that was saved by Robert Flott. The Eagles kept up the pressure with shots by Carbonell and Josh Bronstorph forcing saves from Appalachian State. Flott's second save, on a header by Justin Pruitt in the 73rd chance, would be the last time the Mountaineers would get a shot on goal on the evening.
"It was a real complete performance by us on the road," Coach Murphy said. "Appalachian State was exactly what we thought they would be. They have a good group of young players, and the future is bright for them. It was a hard game, but the way we possessed the ball as a foundation to create some great chance was outstanding. Their goalkeeper made three great saves in the first half, but to have a two-goal lead at halftime at this level is fantastic. And then to have the resiliency and defensive concentration to see the game out in the second half. I'm very pleased with the overall 90 minute performance in a crucial time of the year."
The Eagles finished the match with a 9-6 edge in shots. Agnew made five saves in net for the Mountaineers, while Flott made a pair of saves to record his second shutout of the season for the Eagles. Georgia Southern had a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks and the Eagles were whistled for 12 fouls, compared to five for Appalachian State. each team was offsides once on the night.
Georgia Southern now turns its attention to the Sun Belt tournament, seeking its first conference tournament title in program history. Coach Murphy and the team are excited at what next week will bring in Conway.
"I think we feel confident," Coach Murphy said. "We feel like we're as good as any team in the conference. However, the other teams can say the same thing. It should be a very competitive tournament, and a great showcase for our conference. We will be prepared and focused on Thursday's game, and whatever happens after that, happens."
