Men's Soccer | 11/13/2015 11:24:00 AM

BOONE, NC – The time is finally here for the Hartwick men's soccer team. After several days of waiting, the Hawks take the pitch in the first step of their defense of their Sun Belt Conference Championship in the semifinal round against host Appalachian State tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex in Boone, NC.
           
Sun Belt Coach of the Year John Scott said the team's focus and mentality entering tonight's game is well balanced. "We're not taking anything for granted and we know it's going to take a comprehensive team performance to navigate through the match."
           
The Hawks are the top seed for the second straight season and face the same team coming out of the #4/#5 game in the semifinals as last year. Despite the similarities, one variance remains for the team.
           
"It's different as we're here as the defending champion this year," said Scott.  "We're preparing in the knowledge that we have to handle that aspect of this year's tournament."   
           
The Hawks are ranked 8^th in the NSCAA Southeast Region, are winners of five of their last seven matches (5-1-1), and have 10 straight victories over Sun Belt opposition. Hartwick plays a Mountaineers team which came from behind to take down a 10-man NJIT team 2-1 last night.
           
"We will need to take care of our defensive responsibilities to limit opportunities against us," Scott added. "We'll have to handle the threat of Stephen Chapman as well. In attack, we'll need to bring creativity. "We know it will take an equal effort on both sides of the ball to get a positive result."
             
The two teams met just 13 days ago on the same pitch with Hartwick rallying in the second half for a 2-1 win. A Chapman goal from Raheem Somersall gave App State a 1-0 lead with only 47 ticks left in the first half.
           
Both Hartwick's second half goals would come from free kick services from Jack Donaldson (Paisley, Scotland/Mars Hill University). Jamie O'Grady (Falkirk, Scotland/Falkirk) scored a goal in the 68th minute and 'Wick won it on a Nick Hills' (Garden Suburb, Australia/U. of Newcastle) header in the 84th.                  
           
Georgia State and Georgia Southern start the semifinal round off at 3 p.m. The Panthers and Eagles combined for eight goals just six days ago with Georgia State coming out on top 5-3. The Hawks and Mountaineers take the field at 6:30 p.m.
           
The Sun Belt Championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. The winner receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Hawks look to make their second straight appearance and 25^th as a program.
           
The Hawks' matches this weekend will be broadcast on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app.