OXFORD, OHIO -- Appalachian State University field hockey (6-13) used three second-half goals to record its first MAC Tournament victory in program history. With the win, the Mountaineers advance to play Longwood on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Miami Field Hockey Complex.
Three different student-athletes registered goals to turn a 2-2 halftime scoreline into a 5-2 triumph over Central Michigan. Freshman
Friederike Stegen registered the game-winning goal in the 45th minute, marking the first two-goal performance of her career.
First-Team All-MAC honoree
Veerle Van Heertum extended the Mountaineers' advantage to 4-2 in the 52nd minute. Van Heertum's goal came off a penalty corner with Stegen and junior
Ali Williams tallying the assists. The Valkenswaard, Netherlands native has also now recorded a point in six of her past seven contests.
Williams netted the game's final score less than two minutes later off a clever backhand shot. The Mountaineers dominated the Chippewas in the closing period, outshooting Central Michigan 9-2 in the second half. The Black and Gold's defense limited the Chippewas to only three shots on goal.
"I'm really proud of our team effort today," head coach
Meghan Dawson said. "The team came out as a whole and competed the whole game. Central Michigan is much improved since the last time we saw them, and you can tell by the score and their opportunities."
App State trailed early after Central Michigan's Imogen West opened the scoring in the eighth minute. The Mountaineers responded less than 10 minutes later when sophomore
Meghan Smart notched her third goal of the season, evening the score at 1-1.
In the 26th minute, Stegen recorded a solo goal after making a run outside of the circle before slipping the ball past the Central Michigan goalkeeper. The Chippewas responded in the 29th minute, resulting in a 2-2 scoreline entering halftime.
App State outshot Central Michigan 18-6 and held a 14-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Mountaineers also finished with a 4-2 advantage in penalty corners.
Five different student-athletes recorded a point in Wednesday's victory -- Stegen, Van Heertum, Williams, Smart and junior
Kaley Selner. Selner notched the assist on Stegen's game-winner in the second half.
"It's exciting to get our first-ever MAC Tournament win," Dawson said. "We're now setting our sights on Longwood."
The Mountaineers' next test will be a rematch of an overtime contest in September. The Lancers defeated App State 4-3 in overtime at Adcock Field. Van Heertum, Williams and junior
Melissa Nobile recorded the trio of App State goals.
