Eubanks Goal, Mercer’s Saves Push Trojans to 1-1 Tie at App State

Friday, September 20

Boone, N.C.

6 p.m.

Troy University

5-1-3 (0-0-1SBC)

Appalachian State

2-4-2 (0-0-1SBC)

TROY

Appalachian State

Eubanks Goal, Mercer’s Saves Push Trojans to 1-1 Tie at App State

9/20/2019 8:46:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

BOONE, N.C. -- The Troy Trojans and Appalachian State Mountaineers battled to a feisty 1-1 draw Friday evening at Appalachian Soccer Stadium at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.

With the draw, the Trojans (5-1-3) extend their unbeaten streak to four straight matches. Senior Haleigh Mercer made four saves in net, while classmate Nathali DaSilva recorded four of her teams 10 shots.

After playing to a scoreless draw through the first half, the Trojans nearly took the lead in the 54^th minute when DaSilva's back-heel attempt missed the right-hand corner of the net by inches.

Just 19 minutes later the Trojans struck first off the right foot of sophomore Kate Eubanks, who received a pass from Maddie Brune and fired a shot past Appalachian State (2-4-2) goalie Kerry Eagleston.

In the final moments of regulation, the Mountaineers were able to tie the match off a corner kick, sending the Sun Belt opener to overtime.

The Trojans and Mountaineers both had chances in the two 10-minute overtime periods, but neither side found the elusive golden goal.

Troy returns to action on Sunday afternoon at Coastal Carolina. Kickoff from Conway is schedule for 12 Noon.

GED TALKS:
"Tonight, was an excellent performance by a spirited group. I think good teams find a way to work for a result, and we did that tonight. App State is an extremely difficult place to play so we're certainly happy with the effort. It's ironic because I think both teams feel like they deserved to win the match but are happy they didn't lose it. I think that's the sign of a really good match. Now we need to focus on recovery tomorrow and conclude the long road trip at Coastal."

NOTEWORTHY:
• Tonight was the Trojans first Sun Belt match of the season.
• The Trojans improve to 1-0-2 this season in overtime.
• Troy still leads the all-time series between the two teams, 3-2-1.
• Tonight's goal was Troy's 18^th of the season. This equals the Trojans output from a season ago.
• Troy's four-match unbeaten streak is the second streak of at least four matches this season. The Trojans began the season unbeaten through the first five games of the season (Aug. 24-Sept. 5).
• The Trojans allowed a second-half goal for just the third time all season. They are outscoring opponents 11-3 in the second-half this season.
• Eubanks three goals tie her for the most goals on the team with DaSilva and Kiersten Edlund.
• With her four save performance tonight, Mercer has now recorded 47 saves this season.
• Her goals-against-average sits at 0.99 through nine matches.