BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State's Kelan Swales and Nick Rogers scored 65 seconds apart early in the second half to break a scoreless deadlock, and the Mountaineers withstood a late surge to top Loyola University Maryland men's soccer by a 2-1 final on Sunday.
Morgan Lussi scored a highlight-reel goal for the Greyhounds (0-2) to halve the deficit in the 52nd minute, but App State goalkeeper Jacob Maddon kept the visitors off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Loyola had four of the game's first five shots, and controlled possession for a majority of the opening 45 minutes. The teams combined for just one shot on goal in the first half though, an effort by
Albert Kang which was controlled by Maddon 14:34 into the contest.
The Mountaineers (1-1) took the lead against the run of play in the 48th minute, when Swales took a shot which deflected off a Greyhound defender and into the back of the net. Reed Hunnicutt then sent a cross from the left side on the next attacking rush which bounced off Rogers and past goalkeeper
Chase Vosvick to double the advantage.
Lussi completed the stretch of three goals in 3:55 of game action in memorable fashion. After an initial attempt by Kang was blocked in front, Lussi blasted a half-volley from 25 yards out off the inside of the left post and beyond the goal line. The strike was Lussi's second at Loyola, and his first since the 2018 season opener against Rutgers.
Maddon made a pair of diving stops to preserve App State's victory over the remainder of the contest.
Brian Saramago had an attempt tipped away in the 58th minute, and Kristinn Pétursson directed a header towards the lower-left corner which was knocked aside with 9:49 remaining.
Loyola's final chance to tie came with just over two minutes left, when
Barry Sharifi sent a free kick wide of the goal. Shots overall were 13-11 in favor of the visitors.
The Greyhounds have two more challenging matchups upcoming at next weekend's tournament at James Madison. Loyola faces No. 16 Virginia Tech at 4 p.m. on Friday, and host JMU (currently ranked No. 17 nationally) at 7 p.m. next Sunday.
