STATESBORO, Ga. – The quick turnaround of games was a difficult task for Appalachian State University men's soccer to overcome as they fell to Hartwick in their semifinal match 2-0 on Friday.

"We fought hard and two games so close together made it extremely difficult, both mentally and physically," said head coach Matt Nelson. "I'm proud of how hard they worked and think that our seniors did a great job not only this season, but all the years that they were here. I want to personally thank Pat, Stanley, Walker and Seth for what they have helped start here."

The Mountaineers (7-8-3) came into the semifinal match with the Hawks riding a three-game win streak – their longest of the season. Both teams played to a 0-0 draw earlier this season on Hartwick's field in New York.

The opening 45 minutes was more of the same for both of these teams with App State collecting seven shots to Hartwick's six and only one shot on goal for both. Like the previous matchup, the game was tied 0-0 going into the locker room at halftime. 

In the second half at 66:38 mark, Hartwick broke through with a cross from Ross MacKinnon on the near side that found the head of Mike Rood for the 1-0 lead.

With the one goal advantage and nearly nine minutes remaining in regulation, Hartwick put the game out of reach in the when Jhevaughn Beckford netted a goal from the top of the box, finding the left corner to give the Hawks the lead and win 2-0.

Paul West made three saves in the contest. Seth Williams led App State with three shots, while Patrick Harrow tallied two. 

Senior and Sun Belt first-team selection, Stanley Broaden, finished the season as the leading Mountaineer goal scorer with seven tallies – a career-high. Alex Herbst finished his junior campaign with a Sun Belt first-team selection and a career-high eight assists to lead the Apps.

The Mountaineers will lose four key seniors following 2014, which includes Broaden, Harrow, Williams and Walker White. 

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