"This is a very good result for us tonight," head coach Justin Maullin said. "Appalachian State is a very good team that is going to win some games in the conference. I was very happy with our guys and thought we played some very good soccer. Our combination play tonight was breathtaking at times and some of our stuff in the final third was very good."

 
The Spartans (4-4-2, 2-0-0 SoCon) controlled play for most of the first half, holding a 7-3 advantage in shots. UNCG had a strong chance in the 29^th minute of action as Lukas Zarges (Friedrichsdorf, Germany/Philipp Reis Schule) and Ilhan combined at the top of the 18-yard box to create some space. Junior Oddur Gudmundsson (Reykjavik, Iceland/Breidholti) was the recipient of the space and fired a shot from 16 yards out that sailed just over the cross bar keeping the game scoreless.

 
Appalachian State (4-4-1, 0-1-0 SoCon) had its best chance of the first half in the 36^th minute of action as it took advantage of a UNCG turnover. Stanley Broaden received the miscue and drove towards goal before firing a shot from 18-yards out. Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Peyton Ford (Jamestown, N.C./Southwest Guilford) stepped out and made a diving save to push the ball out of harm's way.

 
The Spartans were awarded for their strong play in the 39^th minute of action as they took a 1-0 lead on the Mountaineers. Sophomore Austin Miller (High Point, N.C./High Point Central) took the ball 20-yards out and possessed it before sending Maximilian Schulz (Northeim, Germany/Gymnasium Corvinianum) down the sideline. Schulz sent his first touch into the box where it found Ilhan making a run down the middle of the box where he drilled it into the back of the net for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

 
The Spartans came within inches of extending their lead in the 49^th minute of as Miller drew a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. After a quick touch by Ilhan, Schulz ripped a bending shot past ASU goalkeeper Danny Free but the ball struck the cross bar solidly before ricocheting out of play.

 
Appalachian State pushed up down the stretch trying to tie the game and had its best chance in the 85^th minute of play. Harrison Delbridge had a chance on a header from six-yards out, but his shot was thwarted by junior defender Mahdi Ali (Helsinki, Finland/Vuosaaren Lukio) who cleared it off the line to preserve the victory.

 
UNCG ended the night with an 18-8 edge in shots as six different players posted multiple shots. Ilhan led the way with three shots while Brian Graham (Bowie, Md./Bowie) tallied three shots for the Spartans. Ford recorded three saves in his second straight shutout while Free recorded four saves in the loss.

 
The Spartans continue their three-game home stand Tuesday night as they step out of SoCon play to host Atlantic Coast Conference foe Clemson. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.

 
- UNCG -