By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Dominating play for much of the first half but unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, Appalachian FC’s 2024 season came to an end on July 13 in “The Valley” (Ted Mackeroll Soccer Stadium), falling to Hickory FC, 3-0.
In front of the season’s largest crowd filling the grandstands and on the surrounding ridges, with drums banging and chants echoing across the playing field relentlessly, the first half was scoreless until the 39th minute when Hickory’s John Osadolor capitalized on an Appalachian defender’s miscue and zipped the ball past the Sasquatch goalkeeper to take a still nervous, 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The second half was more of the same until Hickory was awarded a penalty kick in the 80th minute. The PK was blocked, but Hickory’s Ivan Rubio alertly jumped on the rebound and punched it forward into the net.
Appalachian — which came into the game as the Conference tournament’s No. 1 seed and ranked as high as No. 4 overall in the National Premier Soccer League (comprised of more than 90 teams across the United States) — never gave up after going down 2-0 with just over 10 minutes to play. Unfortunately, the High Country’s favorite Sasquatchers were unable to convert while No. 2 seeded Hickory found the net yet again in the waning moments of stoppage time with a goal by Bjarne Renner.
After the match, Hickory head coach Carlos Rubio, who is also the men’s soccer head coach for Lenoir-Rhyne University, was understandably enthusiastic about his team’s upset win over the No. 1 seeded Appalachian FC.
“This was a fantastic night,” said Rubio. “The guys have (bought into) our method, our way. They succeeded today and did a fantastic job.
If anyone is going to beat us make sure it is them that beating us and not us losing the game, that we don’t beat ourselves.
“We did exactly what we wanted to do,” Rubio added. “We wanted to take the ball away from them. (Appalachian is) a really good team. We made a few adjustments. It was a really good game of soccer and I am proud of our defensive effort.”
If there was a common thread of attributes for both teams in the match, it was counterattacking, quickly stymying the opponent’s attack and just as quickly reversing the momentum of the game, going on attack back up the field.
“Yes,” said Rubio. “Both teams have fantastic players.”
On the other side of the outcome, Appalachian head coach Dale Parker was more sanguine.
“Of course we are disappointed,” said Parker, “as I try to wrap my head around what just happened. The way we conceded the first goal was very disappointing. From that point on, we were pushing too hard almost to try and find an equalizer and ended up giving up the second goal (on a penalty kick). At that point, well…
“The 3-nil score flatters them a little bit but you have to credit Hickory. They came in with a game plan and when they got their opportunity, they took it and we were not able to bring them down tonight, unfortunately.”
In the first half, Appalachian seemed to dominate the game on the offensive end but unable to convert.
“The chances we created were enough to win the game for us,” said Parker, “if we had converted. But when you give the opponent a goal like we did and shift the momentum… It is something we spoke about before the game: if anyone is going to beat us make sure it is them that is beating us and not us losing the game, that we don’t beat ourselves.”
Unfortunately, we want to still be playing at this point in the season and now we are not.
Reflecting on the entire season, Parker said, “In the moment, I am really proud of our season. We had a team here that could go on and do good things in the national tournament but, unfortunately, in these knockout games you have to be prepared for the unexpected. So I am really pleased with the team that we built and really please with our performance (8-0-2) to this point. Unfortunately, we want to still be playing and we are not now.”
Parker was especially complimentary of the community’s embrace of high quality soccer in the High Country, including the ongoing partnerships of the business community as well as those of Appalachian FC, App State Athletics, High Country United Soccer Association and Watauga High School.
“Soccer has not always been so popular in these parts,” said Parker, “… the growth of the game in the last four years has been really amazing. On a night like tonight, you wish we could have given our community a little bit more than we did. It is disappointing that we didn’t see it through.”
With the win, Hickory advances to the NPSL Regionals, opponent yet to be named.
BONUS PHOTOS (For best viewing on laptop or PC, click on any image for Slide Show mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
