by BRYAN LAIL
Intern Sports Reporter

Things have not gone as planned for Appalachian State men’s soccer these past few weeks.

With hopes of making a push towards its second consecutive Southern Conference playoff berth, the Apps opened conference play against rival Wofford Sept. 30, posted 17 shots, and lost 1-0.

Since then, they have played three more conference games, scored only twice, and won only once.

That sort of resume usually does not provide a team with much positive energy to build off of late in the season.

But after a season-saving 1-0 victory over Davidson Oct. 14, the Mountaineers earned a 10-day break to rest and prepare for one last push.

“It was big to get that win and go into the break with it,” forward Arie Muniz said. “We’re all ready to get back on the field now that we have the confidence to know we can do it.”

The Mountaineers now have a chance that, at least on paper, is looking better than average at this point.

“We have the harder games out of the way,” Appalachian head coach Shaun Pendleton said. “We’re playing teams in and around us and the players see that.”

But there certainly remains glaring issues with Pendleton’s young team that could prevent them from reaching the SoCon’s final four.

As good as the Mountaineer defense has been, giving up more than a single goal only once during conference play, the offense has been equally as bad.

Midfielder Sean Dreybus leads the team during that time with 13 shots attempted, but has failed to score on any of those attempts, a trend that has plagued the Mountaineers all season long.

“We’re just missing opportunities,” Dreybus said.

Appalachian’s number of attempts has never been the issue, getting those shots in the net has been.

“If we win Saturday we’re going to be a team to be reckoned with for the rest of the season,” Pendleton said. “We could slide in at No. 3 of four in the conference, I don’t think you would want to be playing us at that point.”

The Mountaineers resume SoCon play Saturday at College of Charleston.

The Cougars currently hold the fourth and final playoff slot.

“You’ve just got to keep going, it’s in our own hands,” Pendleton said. “If we can get [College of Charleston] we’ll be in good shape.”

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