OpEd: If ever an @appstatemsoccer team faced a certified and platinum-plated trap game, here it is! App is 4-0 against just a so-so schedule. ETSU is 1-3 against an obviously better schedule. The Apps will be playing tonight on the ETSU pitch. The Apps lead the series between the two neighboring institutions 8-3 but the Bucs have won the last two matches in thrilling 1-nil manner. Can the good guys break their two-game losing streak to the Bucs or will the Bucs' stronger schedule allow them to take down a previously unbeaten Mountaineer side?
@appstatemsoccer will take its 4-0 record into Johnson City, TN tonight when it faces the ETSU Bucs at 7 PM in Summers-Taylor Stadium. East Tennessee (1-3 )isn't exactly a collegiate soccer juggernaut but have played quality opponents--falling to No. 3 North Carolina (1-0), No. 1 Wake Forest (4-2) and soon-to-be-ranked High Point (3-2; 2 OT). They picked up a 1-nil win over Liberty earlier this week.
Going into the weekend, App State is just one of 19 undefeated teams in the nation, which features a list that includes six other teams from North Carolina and "Power Five" programs Duke, Wake Forest, NC State and Kentucky. In addition, the Apps are ranked No. 10 in the South Region according to this week's United Soccer Coaches D-I Poll.
App State defeated Belmont, 3-0, on Labor Day to stay undefeated. Ian Bennett, Dimitris Moraitakis and Austin Hill scored goals for the Black and Gold, while Mason Robicheaux, Charlie Baird and Bennett all nabbed assists. It was Bennett's first career game in which he scored a goal and recorded an assist. Jake Chasteen notched his 11th-career clean sheet and the second of this season.
The Bucs are coached by first-year head coach David Casper, a former Kentucky assistant. ETSU has been a tough out at home the last two seasons with a 10-1-5 mark. Danny Barlow leads the team with a pair of goals while three other student-athletes have scored once. Josh Perryman has played all eight contests between the posts, boasting a 1.89 goals against average and 11 saves.
There is no TV option for tonight's contest. Follow the Apps on Live Stats, Twitter or Instagram.
Live Stats... http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=227987