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Men’s Soccer Drops Double-Overtime Thriller, 3-2

Oct. 3, 2012. BOILING SPRINGS – Appalachian State University men’s soccer took a lead in the second half, but was unable to hold it, falling in double-overtime 3-2 to Gardner-Webb Tuesday night at Greene-Harbison Field.

 With the non-conference loss, the Mountaineers drop to 4-5-1 overall, as the Runnin’ Bulldogs improve to 1-8-1.

 Gardner-Webb got on the scoreboard first in the 30th minute when a Tyler Jordan shot deflected off Lee Williams and scooted past sophomore goalkeeper Paul West. For Jordan, it was his second goal of the season.

 As the Mountaineers entered the second half facing a 1-0 score, the Black and Gold struck quickly in the 53rd minute when senior midfielder Ryan Lavigne scored on a loose ball inside the box. The assist was awarded to sophomore Sekani Sinclair and the tying goal was the first of the season for Lavigne.

 The Apps continued their pressure in the 56th minute when sophomore forward Stanley Broaden broke away from the Bulldog backline and scored past GWU goalkeeper Scott Krotee. Broaden’s goal is his second of the season, placing him in a tie with senior midfielder David Dodge for the team lead in goals.

 Quickly after Appalachian took the lead, Gardner-Webb found some offense and was awarded a penalty kick in the 62nd minute. GWU’s Marius Hammersmark put his shot in the back of the net to even the score at 2-2. The goal was Hammersmark’s first of the season.

 After the teams could not find the scoreboard for the remaining minutes, an overtime period has to decide the match. The Apps saw some opportunities early in the overtime period when senior forward Boubacar Toure fired two quick shots on Krotee, but both were saved, keeping GWU alive and forcing a second overtime period.

 In the final period, the teams looked to be settling for a draw until Gardner-Webb was awarded a corner in the 106th minute. Hammersmark fed the ball into the box and forward Satoshi Tatsumi headed a shot past West for the game-winning goal.

 For the match, Appalachian fired 11 shots on goal, compared to Gardner-Webb’s six. Toure paced the Apps with five shots on goal, but was able to find the net. In West’s second start of the season, the sophomore tallied three saves.

 The Mountaineers return to Southern Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 6 when they travel outside of the state of North Carolina for the first time this season, meeting College of Charleston. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.