BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University women's soccer found its nonconference rhythm, having three student-athletes score to overcome an early 1-0 deficit to defeat UL Monroe 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.
"I am so proud of this program," head coach Sarah Strickland said. "When the cards are stacked against you, it helps you determine your character and also lets you know who your friends are and who believes in you. Thank you for all the encouragement, belief and support that we received from so many alumni, parents and former coaches to help us earn this win against a very good ULM team. I was very impressed with our finishing today and with the performance of the entire group."
The Mountaineers (6-6-2, 1-3-2 Sun Belt) came out with fire and intensity to start the game, but the Warhawks (6-6-1, 3-2 Sun Belt) were able to match the intensity early, scoring the first goal in the 9th minute. But the Black and Gold are familiar with this position, this is the fifth time this season that Appalachian has overcome 0-1 to win the match.
App State fiercely responded to battle over the entire field. The Mountaineers got several shots, but finally broke the two-match seal on the net in the 37th minute when junior Morgan Mosack got her second goal of the season off a great ball from freshman Kristin Brown to equalize the match at 1-1. The assist is Brown's first of her college career.
The Black and Gold took the tie into halftime before once again coming out with high energy. With the momentum from the end of the first half carrying them forward, Appalachian took the lead in the 67th minute when freshman Maggie Hanusek found redshirt sophomore Erin Settle for the game-winning goal – Settle's fourth goal of the season and second game-winner.
Breaking the floodgates open, the Mountaineers put the match out of the reach in the 80th minute when, off a breakaway pass by Settle, senior Jane Cline beat the keeper and fired the ball into the left corner of the net, her seventh of the year.
Junior Sam Steyl protected the net for the entire 90 for Appalachian. Steyl finished with three saves on the day and the one goal allowed, facing seven shots.
Back To Their Ways
For the fifth time this season, Appalachian came back from a 1-0 deficit to win the match (Northern Kentucky, Radford, Maryland, Gardner-Webb, ULM), however this was the first come-from-behind victory for the Mountaineers in Sun Belt Conference play.
To overcome the deficit, they had to have a total team effort and that's exactly what they got on Sunday. Getting back to their ways, the Mountaineers had great play off the bench from Alexa Asher, Settle, Sarah Moon, Brown and Hanusek. Settle had the game-winning goal and an assist while both Brown and Hanusek got assists.
App State had just as many total shots as they did on Friday against Arkansas State (22), but finished with a season-high 16 shots on goal (the most SOG since Oct. 25, 2013 at The Citadel – 18), keeping an immense amount of pressure on the ULM goalkeeper. And where finishing has been an issue for the team in the last few weeks, the Mountaineers had no trouble on Sunday, putting up the most amount of goals since the season opener against Northern Kentucky.Â
Leading the offensive attack in shots was Cline with eight total shots and five on goal. Behind her was Sharon Osterbind, who finished with three shots and two on frame, while Jackie Nieradka, Mosack and Settle all finished with two shots on goal. Moon, Lindsey Tully and Aubrey Fletcher also had one shot.
Looking Forward
The Mountaineers will play three of their next four matches at home to end the regular season, starting with Little Rock on Friday, Oct. 07. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. Appalachian then has a week off before heading to face its longtime rival Georgia Southern in Statesboro on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m.
