“We're obviously thrilled that Stephen was recognized by the conference,” head coach Jason O'Keefe said. “Last season, he really showed the conference that he was one of its top offensive threats and we're excited to see where he takes it again this season.”

Chapman was a main part of the attacking force and the most prolific goal-scorer for the Mountaineers last season, finishing the year leading the league in shots (63), shots per game (3.47) and tied for first in game-winning goals (three). The forward was named first-team all-Sun Belt at the end of last season after being named the league's Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week twice. He was also named to the NSCAA All-Southeast first team.

The senior started 16 of his 18 appearances and led the team in goals (seven), points (15), shots, shots on goal (23) and game-winning goals while also finishing second in the Sun Belt in goals, goals per game (0.41) and finished third in points and points per game (1.24). His season-best effort came against ETSU (Sept. 9) when the Greensboro-native scored two goals off three shots to help Appalachian win. 

Last season, the Mountaineers went 8-10-0 (2-3-0 Sun Belt) and made their way into the Sun Belt Tournament as the fourth seed. App State won its first conference tournament match against NJIT in the quarterfinals when the team scored two goals in the second half to win 2-1. In the semifinals, the Mountaineers had to face off against No. 1-ranked Hartwick. In a knockdown-drag out fight from start to finish, Appalachian held its own for 67 minutes before eventually falling on the one goal allowed by one of this year's conference preseason co-offensive players of the year.

The Mountaineers begin the 2016 regular season Friday, Aug. 26 when they travel to play Cincinnati at 4 p.m. Appalachian then moves on to play at Bowling Green on Sunday, Aug. 28 for a noon kickoff.

2016 Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team
Stephen Chapman (Appalachian State, Senior, Forward)
Frantzdy Pierrot (Coastal Carolina, Junior, Forward)
Rashid Alarape (Georgia State, Junior, Forward)
Louis Dargent (Coastal Carolina, Junior, Midfielder)
Thor Sveinbjornsson (Georgia Southern, Junior, Midfielder)
Jack Donaldson (Hartwick, Senior, Midfielder)
Jamie O'Grady (Hartwick, Senior, Midfielder)
Elis Bjornsson (Coastal Carolina, Senior, Defender)
Einar Einarsson (Coastal Carolina, Senior, Defender)
Kit Tregear (Hartwick, Senior, Defender)
Lenny Wilson (Hartwick, Sophomore, Goalkeeper)

 2016 Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
Jamie O'Grady (Hartwick, Senior, Midfielder)
Frantzdy Pierrot (Coastal Carolina, Junior, Forward)

2016 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Kit Tregear (Hartwick, Senior, Defender)

2016 Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
1. Coastal Carolina – 35 points (5)
2. Hartwick – 31 points (1)
3. Georgia State – 23 points
4. Georgia Southern – 17 points
5. Appalachian State – 14 points
6. Howard – 6 points