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Appalachian Women’s Soccer Earns a Win and a Loss Over the Weekend

Taylor Dunlap scoring goal against Wofford
Photo by David Scearce

Oct. 15, 2012. In their first game of the weekend, three first half goals propelled Appalachian State University women’s soccer to a 3-0 victory over Southern Conference foe Wofford Friday night at Snyder Field.

With the victory, the Mountaineers improved to 5-1-1 in the conference and 8-5-1 overall. The Terriers fell to 6-8-1 on the season and 1-6-1 in league play. The Apps improved their unbeaten streak against Wofford to five-straight matches, adding to a two-match winning streak against WC.

The backline did not allow a shot on goal for the night as the shutout was credited to freshman Megan Roberson and junior Amy Kolowsky. Wofford was limited to just five shots for the match.

“The girls really stepped up and finished some big opportunities tonight,” head coach Sarah Strickland said. “Tonight was truly a team win with so many individuals playing their hearts out. Their investment in this program is paying off with so many players making an impact.”

Appalachian started quickly in the sixth minute as sophomore Leah Drawdy fed a cross into the box and found sophomore forward Julia Holz. Holz knocked in a shot past Wofford goalkeeper Kimberly Cohn for her sixth goal of the season, topping her season total from a year ago.

The Mountaineers continued their pressure in the 11th minute, being awarded a free kick outside the WC box. Junior midfielder Sam Neill sent the ball into the box and senior midfielder Sam McVeigh was able to her head to it to notch the second goal of the match. The goal was McVeigh’s first of the season.

App State added to its lead when senior defender Taylor Dunlap fired a shot from 25 yards out past Cohn for her second goal of her four-year career.

The Mountaineers’ defense held the shutout in the second half, clinching Appalachian’s fifth conference victory of the season.

Dunlap led the Apps with two shots on goal, as she played the entire 90 minutes on the backline. McVeigh also tallied 90 minutes for the match as 23 different Mountaineers saw playing time on the night.

Photo Courtesy of Appalachian State Sports Information

In the second game of the weekend, Appalachian State women’s soccer was held scoreless for the first time since its season opener against Clemson, falling 1-0 to Furman Sunday afternoon at Stone Soccer Stadium.

The loss drops the Mountaineers to 8-6-1 on the season and 5-2-1 in the Southern Conference. The Paladins improve to 11-3-2 overall and 4-2-2 in league play.

Furman attacked quickly in the opening half as FU’s Martha Hall curled a shot past Appalachian goalkeeper Megan Roberson in the seventh minute. Hall’s opening goal gave Furman a quick lead and would be eventually tabbed the game-winner. The goal was Hall’s second of the season.

After the goal, the App State backline was superb, not allowing the Paladin attackers to record a shot on goal. For the opening 45 minutes, sophomore forward Julia Holz fired two shots on goal, but could not find room past Furman goalkeeper Rose Hull.

The backline continued their impressive work in the second half, limiting Furman’s leading scorer, Stephanie De Vita, to just three shots on goal. De Vita currently leads the nation in goals with 16 goals in 16 matches, but could not score against the App State defense.

The Mountaineers offense could not find any rhythm in the second half, unable to record a shot on goal for the final 45 minutes. Freshman forward Samantha Childress led the team for the match with four total shots as Holz followed with three.

Roberson dropped her third match of the season, making three saves for the match as they all came in the second half. The freshman is now 7-3-1 on the season.

The Apps return to the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on Friday, Oct. 19 as they finish the season with three straight home matches, beginning with The Citadel. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.