BOONE, N.C. (Aug. 24, 2012) – The ETSU men’s soccer team began the 2012 season against Appalachian State on Friday night at Appalachian Soccer Stadium, but was held goalless in a, 1-0, defeat to the Mountaineers.

David Dodge put Appalachian State (1-0-0) in front in the 13th minute with a goal off a cross from Matthew Melton, and ETSU (0-1-0) could not find the back of the net on any of its eight shots through the game. Senior Franck Doumbe (Silver Spring, Md.) was the Bucs’ leading shot taker, firing three in 62 minutes of action, while Appalachian State’s Josiah Tower led all shot takers with four tries at goal.

Appalachian State outshot ETSU, 9-8, for the game, while ETSU held the edge in corners, 5-2.

“We began the game very slowly,” ETSU head coach Scott Calabrese said. “We certainly conceded an avoidable goal early on and found ourselves under some pressure. The second half, we came out with a better attitude and started to compete. We had a good bit of possession and some decent chances, but ultimately, we should do better.”

The Mountaineers got started with a corner in the opening minutes, but the chance was negated after a foul was called as the ball was sent in. ETSU responded with its own corner five minutes later, as freshman Jeremy Saad (Sydney, Australia) put ETSU’s first attack through. Shortly after, junior Itode Fubara (Ogbema, Nigeria) took the game’s first shot, sending an attempt wide right.

Appalachian’s State first attempt at goal was not wide, as Melton sent a cross through the box to Dodge, who finished the chance to put the Mountaineers ahead, 1-0.

The Buccaneers responded with shots by Doumbe and Fubara in the ensuing minutes, but had their blasts go high and wide of the post.  Fubara’s shot was the last ETSU could manage in the half, with the Mountaineers taking a one-goal lead and, 6-3, shot advantage into the locker rooms.

ETSU played more inspired soccer in the second half, edging Appalachian State, 5-3, in shots and, 4-1, in corners through the second frame. Redshirt senior Matt Reed (Murfressboro, Tenn.), senior Alesi Osorio (Austin, Texas), freshman Emmanuel Wilson (Memphis, Tenn.) and Doumbe all took shots toward goal, but could not find the frame as Mountaineer keeper Danny Free earned his first shutout of the season without making any saves.

“We need to learn from the game and make sure we’re ready to play against UNC Greensboro,” Calabrese added.

The ETSU men’s soccer team opens the home season on Tuesday, taking on UNC Greensboro inside Summers-Taylor Stadium at 7 p.m. The Bucs defeated the Spartans, 1-0, in double overtime last year in Greensboro, N.C., earning their first win over a top-25 opponent in program history.

For more information on ETSU men’s soccer, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men’s soccer links.

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