BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University field hockey (3-6, 1-2 MAC) will face its first Mid-American Conference road test when the Mountaineers travel to Virginia to face the Longwood Lancers (8-1, 1-0 MAC) at noon on Saturday. The following day, App State will head to Richmond, Virginia to face Virginia Commonwealth (8-1, 2-0 Atlantic-10) at 1 p.m.
About the Mountaineers
Appalachian is coming off its first MAC win since joining the league at the beginning of the season. The Mountaineers defeated Ohio behind a two-goal performance from senior
Taylor Cimbalist and a goal by freshman
Meghan Smart. Cimbalist scored her fifth and sixth goals of the season, setting a personal season-high. She sits fifth in the league in points (13), points per game (1.44), goals (6) and goals per game (0.67).
Scouting Longwood & VCU
The Longwood Lancers have the best overall record in the MAC with an 8-1 mark and they are currently on four-game winning streak that includes a 4-0 shutout of MAC-foe Central Michigan. The Longwood offense is led by Leonie Verstraete and Edel Nyland who have combined for 15 of Longwood's 25 goals this season. Verstraete also leads the team in assists (4) and shots on goal (40). Goalkeeper Katie Wyman has a league-high four shutouts and has allowed just seven goals.
The VCU Rams are on a six-game winning streak heading into the weekend that also included a shutout of Central Michigan. The Rams have yet to allow more than one goal in a game this year and their only loss came in a 1-0 defeat at Longwood. A trio of Rams have accounted for 20 of VCU's 27 goals: Emily McNamara (9), Svea Sturm (6) and Maite Sturm (5) have accounted for 20 of VCU's 27 goals. Chessa Kownurko serves as the primary goalkeeper and she has made 28 saves while allowing six goals.
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