GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro sophomore Jaimey Etten scored a pair of first-half goals and freshman Lauren Hein added an insurance strike late in the second half as the Spartans beat Appalachian State on Sunday, 3-1.

Etten's first career multi-goal game doubled her career goals total and helped UNCG stay in first place in the Southern Conference standings. With the victory, the Spartans (9-5, 5-1 SoCon) kept pace with College of Charleston, which beat Georgia Southern 1-0 on Sunday to run its record to 5-1 in league play.

The Spartans got the scoring started in the 15^th minute, with Kelly Attayek sending in a cross from the left wing. Freshman Tabitha Padgett corralled the ball and sent it to Etten in front of the goal, and Etten turned and poked it into the lower right corner for the early advantage. The assist was the first of Padgett's career and the goal was Etten's first of the season.

Appalachian State (5-7-2, 2-3-1 SoCon) nearly found the equalizer in the 20^th minute, when a defensive gaffe nearly cost the Spartans a goal. With keeper Kelsey Kearney and defender Lauren Lopez playing keep-away with App's Caroline Lowe, Kearney whiffed on her attempt to clear the ball. Lowe was there to pounce on the miscue, but couldn't put her shot on frame, sending it wide left.

The Spartans quickly regrouped, and Padgett and Etten connected again in the 27^th minute. This time, Padgett found a wide-open Etten at the top of the box and Etten easily put the shot away for the 2-0 lead.

The Mountaineers came out with renewed focus in the second half, threatening again in the 51^st minute with Paige Morrow getting free on a breakaway. Kearney came well off her line and made an outstanding save to snuff out the shot, keeping the Mountaineers scoreless for the time being.

Appalachian State finally broke through in the 70^th minute off a set play, with Hannah Coad nodding home a Lowe corner kick to cut the Spartans' lead in half.

About 12 minutes later, Hein headed home a Jen Bronson cross for her third goal of the season, restoring UNCG's two-goal lead and giving the Spartans a little breathing room.

UNCG finished with a 25-9 shot advantage, and took five corner kicks to just two for App.

Kearney finished with three saves and one goal allowed, while Alex Perry worked the final 7:19 to close out the win.

Appalachian State keeper Caroline Clarke allowed three goals and made eight stops.

The Spartans return to action on Friday, Oct. 16, when they will host Samford at 7 p.m. in another crucial SoCon match. The Bulldogs - who tied UNCG last year for the Spartans' only non-win in league play - entered play Sunday tied for third in the league standings.

AGATE

Appalachian State (5-7-2, 2-3-1 SoCon) vs. UNC Greensboro (9-5, 5-1 SoCon)
Date: Oct 11, 2009  Attendance: 261
Weather: 64 degrees, cloudy

Goals by period            1          2          Tot
Appalachian State         0          1          1
UNC Greensboro           2          1          3

SCORING SUMMARY:
 1         14:25    UNCG   Jaimey Etten (1) (Tabitha Padgett;Kelly Attayek)
 2         26:15    UNCG   Jaimey Etten (2) (Tabitha Padgett)
 3         69:54    ASU     Hannah Coad (2) (Caroline Lowe)
 4         81:38    UNCG   Lauren Hein (3) (Jen Bronson)

Shots: Appalachian State 9, UNC Greensboro 25
Saves: Appalachian State 8 (Caroline Clarke 8), UNC Greensboro 3 (Kelsey Kearney 3)
Corner kicks: Appalachian State 2, UNC Greensboro 5
Fouls: Appalachian State 8, UNC Greensboro 16

- UNCG -