LYNCHBURG, Va. — Appalachian State University women's soccer fell just short in a 3-2 shootout against Liberty on Friday afternoon despite two goals from senior Jane Cline (Cornelius, N.C./Charlotte Catholic).
"Liberty is a great program that has consistently been to the NCAA tournament and competes for the Big South Championship," head coach Sarah Strickland said. "We knew it would be a battle and we came out flying. It was a great match and we saw some incredible moments from Jane Cline, Lindsey Tully and Morgan Mosack. We will definitely learn from it and prepare for Sunday against Maryland."
The Mountaineers (3-2) came out of the gate fast, looking to put the Lady Flames (1-3) on their heels early. Cline did just that in the fourth minute when Jenn Bass (Burlington, N.C./Williams (Clemson)) lofted the ball high over the defense into the box for Cline to drive home. Appalachian continued to be the aggressive in the first half, having Cline score her second goal in the 19th minute after she picked up a loose ball at the top of the key and buried the ball into the left corner of the net to go up 2-0.
With the two goals on Friday, Cline moves to six all-time in career goals (19). It's the sixth time in her career that she's had a multi-goal effort.
Liberty would finally break the seal on the net in the 31st minute when Sierra Lam found Isabella Habuda at the top of the box, where she fired a rocket into the right side. The Lady Flames would equalize the match at 2-2 in the 39th minute when Abigail Persson picked up a loose ball at the top of the key and launched one into the bottom-left corner.
After an high-scoring first half, the second half would largely be more defensive as neither team wanted to give an inch.
The Lady Flames would finally go up on the eventual game-winner in the 55th minute when Persson found Sami Santos off a corner for the goal to make it 3-2.
Appalachian had several opportunities, but Liberty's goalkeeper Holly Van Noord made tough saves to keep them at bay. She had eight saves on the day.
Leading the Apps in shots on goal was Cline who finished with four while Tully (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic), Bass, Jackie Nieradka (Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth), Emmily Cowie (Davidson, N.C./W.A. Hough), Mosack (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) and Sharon Osterbind (Jacksonville, Ala./Jacksonville (UAB)) had one shot on goal each.
In the net for the Mountaineers was Sam Steyl (Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell). Steyl tied a career high save effort with seven in 90 minutes.
The Mountaineers will now return home to play Big Ten power Maryland on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
