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Senior day ends on sour note |
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Tuesday, 30 October 2007 |
by ERIK RHYNE
Sports Reporter
For the Appalachian State University women’s soccer team, Sunday was supposed to celebrate the careers of four seniors and seal up a Southern Conference tournament berth.
However, Wofford College spoiled senior day, beating ASU 1-0.
“I think we came in flat and just underestimated them,” ASU senior midfielder Jaclyn Hoffman said.
“We expected to just walk all over them and it was a rude awakening [when] they scored an early goal.
In the second half we tried to battle back, but we were playing with too many emotions and just running
around."
The lone goal came 15 minutes into the contest when Terrier Kendra Merchant intercepted a pass and
scored unassisted.
 Sophomore goalkeeper Emma White makes a save against Wofford in the second half of the 0-1 loss Sunday. Photo by Derek DeSha
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“I think we personally should have won that game for sure,” ASU senior forward Lindsay Moore said.
“We needed that win to help us get into the playoffs. Their goal was a mental mistake - it shouldn’t
have happened.”
Appalachian had opportunities to tie the game but was unable to score. The biggest opportunity came
late in the second half.
The Mountaineers lined up for a free kick on the Terriers’ side of the field. ASU senior defender
Courtney O’Brien kicked the ball toward a host of players, before being kicked into the net for a
potential game-tying goal.
However, Appalachian was ruled offside and the goal was nullified.
“I think we played very flat today,” ASU head coach Ben Popoola said. “Nothing was clicking. It is just
one of those days when a team doesn’t gel together. We just have to get back to the basics, play the
way the normally play. We need to stick to our game plan and play simple.”
Moore said ASU should have had multiple goals, but just missed opportunities and the offside call hurt
them all game.
“We can’t lose games we shouldn’t lose, especially conference games,” Moore said.
With the loss, ASU was unable to send its four seniors, Hoffman, Moore, O’Brien and Lindsay Talley,
off on a good note.
“It’s sad because I’ve played here for four years,” Hoffman said. “Actually, this is only the second
home game we’ve lost all year. We’re a much better team than them. It’s kind of sad to think that my
last game played on this field would be a loss.”
With only The Citadel remaining on its schedule, ASU needs a win to get into the tournament.
Popoola said Sunday’s game helped the team as they prepare to face the Bulldogs - the SoCon’s
current cellar dweller.
“It’s an eye-opener for us,” he said. “We have to make sure anytime we get on the field we don’t
underrate the team we play.”
The Mountaineers, 9-5-3 overall and 3-5-1 in the SoCon, aim to end a two-game winning streak and
clinch a spot in the tournament against The Citadel, which stands 3-15 overall and 0-9 in the SoCon,
Thursday.
“We just need to get mentally prepared and put this game in the past,” Hoffman said. “We can’t
underestimate The Citadel, even though they are low in the conference. We just need to play our game
and I think we can win.”
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