App State’s men’s soccer team opened the season Friday with a 0-0 tie versus Marshall at Appalachian Soccer Stadium.

Through all of regulation and two overtimes, neither team yielded a score.

The Thundering Herd barely outshot the Mountaineers 15-13, as both teams were even all night.

App State head coach Matt Nelson said he was satisfied with his team’s performance.

“For a first game, I thought it was pretty solid,” he said. “There’s always something to work on, you know, but for a first game I was pretty pleased.”

Senior goalkeeper Danny Free said he had a great night, keeping a shutout alive despite the two extra periods with five saves.

Nelson held his goalie and the rest of the defense in high regard after the game.

“He played very well,” he said. “I’m extremely confident in our goalkeeper. We’ve always had a good, solid defensive team.”

Free said he was very happy with the way his team played throughout the match.

“At times I thought we dominated play,” Free said. “We had better chances than them, but obviously we just couldn’t get that breakthrough. Tonight’s a good start. It’s not the greatest, you know, a win’s obviously a lot better than a tie, but it’s a positive note to start on.”

The season is young, like much of the App State offense, and with improvement in that area over time, Nelson sees potential.

“We’ve got a couple attacking players coming in now, this year, that are young,” Nelson said. “And I think as they develop through the year you will start seeing us score more goals.”

App State plays host to Navy at Appalachian Soccer Stadium on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Story: NICK JOYNER, Intern Sports Reporter
Photo: COURTNEY ROSKOS, Senior Photographer