5 Shocking Facts About Appalachian State University Soccer’s 2025 Season
The Appalachian State University (ASU) soccer program is gearing up for a pivotal 2025 season with both the men’s and women’s teams looking to make a major impact in the competitive Sun Belt Conference (SBC). As of late 2025, the Mountaineers are deep into their preparation, having announced a challenging schedule and showcasing a blend of returning talent and new recruits that promises an exciting year of soccer in the High Country.
The latest updates confirm that App State Athletics is investing heavily in the future of the program, with the women’s team under new leadership and the men’s team aiming for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the late 1970s. Fans can expect high-stakes matches, fierce Sun Belt play, and standout performances from key players on the pitch at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium.
Appalachian State Soccer Program: A 2025 Roster and Coaching Profile
The Appalachian State Mountaineers compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with both the men’s and women’s soccer teams being key members of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The 2025 season marks a critical period for both programs as they navigate one of the most competitive mid-major conferences in the nation.
- University: Appalachian State University (ASU)
- Location: Boone, North Carolina
- Athletic Director: Doug Gillin
- Nickname: Mountaineers (The Black and Gold)
- NCAA Division: Division I
- Conference: Sun Belt Conference (SBC)
- Home Venue: Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Women’s Soccer Program Profile
- Head Coach: Aimee Haywood (Fifth Head Coach in program history)
- 2024 Record: 7-7-5 (4-3-3 SBC)
- Key Players (2025 Focus): Ellie Garrison, Izzi Wood, Morgan Chapman, Reese Robinson, Kyli Switalski, Abby Messing
Men’s Soccer Program Profile
- Head Coach: Jason O'Keefe (Entering his fifth year in charge)
- Key Players (2025 Focus): James Denham (Midfielder), Bodie Bice (Midfielder)
- Historical Achievements: NCAA Tournament appearances in 1977 and 1978; Conference Tournament championships in 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1980
The Sun Belt Showdown: 2025 Schedule Highlights and Conference Realignment
The 2025 schedule for both the men's and women's Appalachian State soccer programs is packed with high-profile non-conference matches designed to prepare the teams for the rigorous Sun Belt Conference slate. The SBC is a powerhouse for collegiate soccer, and every match is a crucial step towards a potential conference tournament berth.
The women’s team has eight home matches scheduled for the 2025 fall season, including five against Sun Belt Conference rivals. A key early-season result saw the Mountaineers secure a 1-0 victory over Miami on August 17, 2025, demonstrating their potential against Power Five competition. Another notable non-conference match is the road clash against William & Mary. The women’s team finished the previous season with an impressive 7-7-5 record, proving they are a serious contender in the SBC.
The men’s program, under Coach Jason O'Keefe, has a similarly demanding schedule. Non-conference opponents include major programs like Clemson and Longwood, providing the Mountaineers with an immediate test of their mettle before beginning Sun Belt play. The Sun Belt men's soccer league is highly competitive, featuring teams like the University of Central Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia, making App State’s membership in the conference a significant point of pride and a challenge for the program.
Aimee Haywood and Jason O'Keefe: The Coaching Dual-Threat
The leadership on the sidelines is a major point of focus for the 2025 season, with both programs helmed by dynamic coaches. The women's program saw a major change with the hiring of Aimee Haywood, who became only the fifth head coach in the program's history. Haywood brings a fresh perspective and a focus on developing a culture of grit and high performance.
Coach Haywood has already highlighted the importance of key players like forward Ellie Garrison, describing her as a player who "can create things out of nothing" and who possesses a rare ability to score with both feet. Other vital entities on the women's roster include defender Reese Robinson and rising star Morgan Chapman, all of whom are central to Haywood's strategy for Sun Belt success.
On the men's side, Jason O'Keefe is entering his fifth year, providing the men’s team with stable and experienced leadership. O'Keefe has been instrumental in raising the program’s profile, particularly since the return of the men's soccer league to the Sun Belt Conference. His focus on recruiting top talent has brought in players like midfielders James Denham and Bodie Bice, who are expected to anchor the Mountaineers' midfield and drive the team's offensive efforts in 2025. O'Keefe aims to build on the program's strong history, which includes four Conference Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances in the 1970s.
The Appalachian Soccer Stadium: A High Country Fortress
All Appalachian State home soccer matches are played at the scenic Appalachian Soccer Stadium, which is part of the larger Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex located in Boone, N.C. This complex is a significant asset to the university and the local High Country soccer community.
Completed in 2008, the stadium provides a dedicated and modern venue for the Mountaineers. The facility is notable for its playing surface, featuring three AstroTurf fields in addition to one grass field, ensuring optimal playing conditions regardless of the weather. This multi-field complex is not only the home of App State soccer but also hosts events for the High Country Soccer Association and Appalachian FC, solidifying Boone’s reputation as a growing hub for soccer development in North Carolina.
Playing at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium gives the Mountaineers a distinct home-field advantage, as opponents must contend with the unique atmosphere and elevation of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Black and Gold will rely on their home support throughout the 2025 season, especially during crucial Sun Belt matchups, to secure vital victories and climb the conference standings.
Future Outlook: Recruiting, Rivalries, and SBC Ambitions
The Appalachian State soccer program is demonstrating a clear commitment to growth, with a strong emphasis on recruiting and development. The presence of top players like Izzi Wood and the excitement around new defensive talent like Morgan Chapman indicate a healthy women's program pipeline. On the men's side, the team is focused on leveraging its Sun Belt membership to attract high-level NCAA Division I talent capable of competing with national powerhouses.
While the Mountaineers’ traditional rivalries often focus on football, the soccer programs are quickly developing intense rivalries within the Sun Belt Conference. Matches against conference opponents like Georgia Southern, Marshall, and Old Dominion are becoming must-watch events, with every point critical for positioning in the Sun Belt Tournament. The ultimate goal for both Coach Haywood and Coach O'Keefe in 2025 is to secure a spot in the SBC Tournament and challenge for a title, which would earn the program an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking a significant milestone in the history of Appalachian State soccer.
Detail Author:
- Name : Clementine Ullrich
- Username : joshua74
- Email : hand.fermin@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1995-05-09
- Address : 231 Litzy Fords Lehnerborough, SC 98371-7550
- Phone : (854) 924-6131
- Company : Langosh Inc
- Job : Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
- Bio : Soluta eum optio ut itaque ut eius voluptas. Corporis natus est voluptatem consequatur nobis animi quod.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/jasmin_xx
- username : jasmin_xx
- bio : Autem sed voluptas facere ex voluptatem ea.
- followers : 169
- following : 2926
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@buckridgej
- username : buckridgej
- bio : Aperiam dolor pariatur est enim sed iusto. Numquam impedit ipsam maiores.
- followers : 491
- following : 1542
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/jasminbuckridge
- username : jasminbuckridge
- bio : Sint ullam rerum voluptas et.
- followers : 1299
- following : 935
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/jasmin.buckridge
- username : jasmin.buckridge
- bio : Consectetur doloribus illo ex. Nam et aut aut eius ducimus iure vitae voluptas.
- followers : 6123
- following : 1309
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/jbuckridge
- username : jbuckridge
- bio : Iusto mollitia voluptate molestias sed. Quos provident est molestias eius quidem non perspiciatis. Eum sunt nulla qui.
- followers : 2261
- following : 2602
