Women's Soccer Defeats Davidson in 3-2 Triumph

The Mountaineers scored a season-high three goals but also needed to claw and fight their way back as they came back from a one-goal deficit twice in the contest before valiantly pulling through for the win in the last three minutes of the match.

Sharon Osterbind would lift the Apps to the eventual victory when she stole the ball from two Davidson defenders before beautifully sailing the shot just over the goalkeeper's head for the score. Osterbind had a hand in two of the three scores on the night when she also assisted on one of two Ava Dawson goals. 

The defense did the rest as the backline held Davidson without a shot attempt for the final 2:32 of the match, leading to the victory. 

"I'm proud of our program tonight," head coach Sarah Strickland said. "Davidson is a very good team and battled the entire match. We have been very unlucky this offseason, so it was good to pick up a result. "

Dawson provided much of the offense with a career-high two goals and three in her last three matches. The sophomore now has three goals in six-career games for the Black and Gold.

Davidson struck first at 32" when Allison Gray found the net to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage before Dawson answered back when she volleyed a header over the goalkeeper. 

Both teams went into the half with a 1-1 tie in an intense clash between the in-state foes. The Wildcats took the lead once again after Cameron DavFrance hit a shot inside the box to break the tie and give Davidson the 2-1 lead. 

That would be the last score for the Wildcats as Dawson tied things up for the second time after Osterbind found her Mountaineer teammate for a perfect ball that slice into the net. The tying goal would set up a dramatic finish between a pair of teams that were hungry for a victory.

"Our program has been working hard to correct mistakes, to become more dynamic in the final third, to battle for balls in the air and to maintain a work rate and energy on and off the field, " Strickland mentioned. "I believe we achieved some of those goals tonight, and we are certainly grateful for the support in the stands tonight and from those watching online at home."

Appalachian will look to keep the momentum going on Saturday when it travels to Wilmington, N.C. for a 7 p.m. match against UNCW.