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by CHRIS IRELAND
Sports Reporter
After starting 7-3 (2-0), the Appalachian State University men’s soccer team rode a four-match losing streak that momentarily ended hopes that the program was ending a 19-year Southern Conference title drought.
Things began to mend Oct. 21 as the Mountaineers traveled to Blacksburg, Va. to take on Virginia Tech. It was the team’s final non-conference match of the season.
Appalachian held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the match, until Virginia Tech rallied to tie in the 86th minute of regulation.
ASU was desperate to save the game, and its season in the remaining moments.
 Juan Obregon moves the ball downfield during the Mountaineers game Sunday afternoon. Obregon's second half goal sealed the team’s win over Davidson. Photo by James Fay |
“To be
honest, we couldn’t have lasted in overtime,” senior midfielder Juan
Obregon said. “We had to put everything we had in those final two
minutes.”
Unassisted,
Obregon beat Virginia Tech goalkeeper Stefan Caulfield in the 89th
minute of regulation to give the team a 2-1 victory.
The
Mountaineers have since defeated conference foes Davidson College and
the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Tied for second in the
SoCon,
Appalachian has clinched a home game in the first round of the conference tournament.
Obregon has notched five goals during the winning streak, including game winners against both Virginia Tech and Davidson.
“They’ve
been able to get up early in these games,” Sports Information Intern
Eric Bohannon said. “They’ve been rallying around each other.”
Obregon’s
strong play comes off the heels of head coach Shaun Pendleton calling
out the team’s seniors for being “used to” losing streaks.
“Coach
has been talking about seniors stepping up all year,” sophomore Antonio
Harley said. “Juan has stepped up at the right time.”
Even Obregon acknowledges that a change in mentality was needed.
“We seem
to have a terrible pattern of getting into slides here,” Obregon said.
“We had to start treating every game like it was the most important of
the season.”
Technical changes have also been made.
During the Virginia Tech game, Pendleton moved Obregon from attacking to right midfielder.
Obregon, who leads the team in goals with seven, has enjoyed the move.
“I have a little more space with the ball now,” Obregon said. “I can take a few more risks and be more creative.”
Next for ASU is the SoCon tournament beginning Saturday.
Appalachian, with memories of the midseason slide behind them, want to finish the season on a good note.
“We’ve
said all year that it’s not how you start, but how you finish,” Obregon
said. “We are in position to accomplish our goals.”
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