Mountaineers capitalize on plethora of Wofford mistakes

Ty Brueilly - Sports Beat

This weekend marked the 39th year of Appalachian State University Homecoming festivities. This year's festivities ranged from a concert to a parade. The 2000 theme was "Into the Streets with Black & Gold."

One of the highlights of the festivities was Appalachian StateÕs sound victory over Southern Conference rival Wofford College, 42-16. The Mountaineers are now 27-10-2 overall in the 39 years of Appalachian Homecoming games.

The Mountaineers started the game with much momentum, showing that they needed such a win to prove their standing in the conference as well as to show the many visitors who traveled to enjoy the homecoming festivities that they deserve a top spot in the national limelight.

Appalachian's defense stepped up tremendously throughout the game, forcing Wofford to four fumbles. The first fumble was committed by Terrier Travis Wilson near the end of the first quarter, which was quickly recovered by ASU junior defensive back Remi Awolowo. Appalachian did not use the recovery to their advantage; they were forced to punt the ball on a fourth down. However, the fumble did give the Mountaineers some added motivation, which fueled the recovery of three other fumbles.

Defensive back Steve Kitchens said, "Our coach did a good job showing us what their offense was going to run like. É I thought we played hard getting to the ball and making tackles."

The next fumble was during Wofford's very next play drive. The fumble was by Wofford's Isaac Goodpastor but stayed with Wofford when Jordan Inman recovered the ball. This proved to the players of the Appalachian State football team that these Wofford Terriers were ready to just give the ball as well the game away to them.

Early in the second quarter Wofford was plagued with a third fumble. This fumble served as a second chance for the Mountaineers. It was recovered by freshman wide receiver Sterling Hayward immediately after Appalachian punter Nathan McKinney punted the ball 41 yards.

The ball landed in Wofford wide receiver Jeff ScottÕs hands and within two seconds fell out of his hands, landing in Hayward's, giving Appalachian another chance at an extra offensive series.

Appalachian took the gift and unwrapped it by converting the fumble into a touchdown by ASU's Jerry Beard and topping it off with an extra point from Mark Wright.

Wofford continued their generous ways on their very next offensive series by fumbling the ball once again. The fumble was once again from Wofford's Wilson, and recovered by Appalachian's linebacker Brian Mower. Coach Jerry Moore said about Wofford's fumbles, "They didn't just accidentally happen É those fumbles we caused. É It was a very physical football game.Ó

After the half Wofford had no more fumbles but Appalachian used other means to provide excitement.

The excitement was set off by a spectacular as well as amazing 95-yard kickoff return by running back Jimmy Watkins, scoring a touchdown.

This was the first Appalachian kickoff returned for a touchdown since ASUÕs 1981 season.

Appalachian sealed the win late in the fourth quarter with yet another Wofford turnover. This time Wofford's mistake was an intercepted pass.

The pass was picked off by All-American defensive back Corey Hall who quickly ran the ball up the field 14 yards. The final score was 42-16 and brought the Mountaineers to a 5-2 record.

After the game Moore said about the defense, "Our defense did a great job stepping it up and handling the option game. We didn't give up any big plays. We hit with a lot of authority."

Appalachian laid down a strong victory to add to their overall Homecoming winnings, making them a more respectable team.

The Appalachian defense looks forward to travelling to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga next week and hopes that UTC also lives by the great proverb that it is better to give than receive.

Men's soccer team breaks seven-year drought

Mountaineers defeat UNCG for first time since 1993

Andrea Barrows - Sports Beat

For the first time since 1993, the Mountaineers men's soccer team defeated the Spartans of UNC Greensboro, the final score was 3-2.

Coach Aidan Heaney said, "From the program's standpoint it was a huge win. This win was not a fluke, it was a wonderful team performance and the win was well deserved. This game showed that we can play with the best teams out there."

In the previous three meetings as members of the Southern Conference (SoCon), UNCG has outscored Appalachian nine goals to one, and the Spartans have led the all-time series between the two teams 12-3.

Appalachian struck first with a goal by Zell Jones in the seventh minute of play, assisted by Ray Soporowski. UNCG tied the match at 1-1 later in the half when Justin Wisdo's shot was blocked by Appalachian goalkeeper Chris Robinson, but the blocked ball bounced hard off Kenny Bundy into Appalachian's goal.

In the 36th minute of play, Spartan Alejandro Moreno, a junior All-American candidate, scored the team's second goal to put UNCG up by one, but the Mountaineers responded quickly.

Appalachian's go-to man, Jordy Broder, tied the game up at 2-2 off a penalty kick at 38:59.

Freshman Josh Foltz gave Appalachian the win by scoring in the 62nd minute of play off a pass from Mark Thornton. Foltz was able to bring the UNCG goalkeeper Joe Crump off his line, faked left and then sent a shot to the right side to give the Mountaineers a 3-2 lead.

With only 1:02 remaining in the match, the Spartans had a chance to tie the score and send the match into overtime with an open shot eight yards out, but Robinson made a big defensive stop, trapping the ball and terminating all Spartan hopes for a last minute comeback.

Though the Spartans out-shot the Mountaineers 20-10, Appalachian's intensity pulled them through.

Assistant coach Bryan Cunningham said, "This is the biggest win by the men's soccer team in the last 10 years, and it puts us in a great position in the conference."

This win makes the men 5-2 in the SoCon play. Thursday night the Mountaineers will hold their last home game of the season in Kidd Brewer Stadium against Campbell University at 7:30 p.m.

This game will include recognition of all of the seniors as they close out their collegiate careers.