BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's soccer (7-5-1, 4-1 SBC) pushed past Louisiana (3-8-2, 2-3 SBC) with a 1-0 triumph on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
Before the match, Appalachian recognized its eight seniors and student trainer for their dedication and commitment to the program.
"It's Senior Day, so getting to honor the group and celebrate their successes is always incredible and a focus for our program," head coach
Sarah Strickland said. "We had a lot of alumni, parents, family, other student-athletes and it was a beautiful day in Boone. It was a great win."
Seniors
Taylor Ray
Alexa Asher
Jamie Palermo
Jessica Easley
Kat Greer
Sarah Murphy
Blair Anderes
Emmily Cowie
Ashlee Myers (trainer)
Fitting on Senior Day, the game-winning goal came from a senior as
Emmily Cowie's rocket of a shot in the 33rd minute of the contest was all the Black and Gold needed. It was Cowie's first goal of the season and the third game-winning score of her career. It's the second straight year on Senior Day a senior recorded a game-winning goal.
Sarah Moon's goal last season in the final home game against Coastal Carolina led to a 1-0 win and a berth in the SBC Tournament.
The Davidson, N.C., registered three of the Mountaineers' four shots on goal in the victory.
Kirsten Seeley was the lone other Mountaineer to have a shot that was on target, which came in the 72nd minute of the contest.
App State's defense held the visitors to just two shots on goal with
Taylor Ray stopping both attempts en route to her third clean sheet of the season.
App has allowed just one or zero goals in the past four contests since allowing two in back-to-back games against Radford and Troy.
Appalachian held an 8-6 edge in shots and a 4-2 mark in shots on goal. The Mountaineers and Ragin' Cajuns posted a 5-5 tied in corner kicks.
Not only was the win big for the seniors as they were honored, but it also clinched a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament. App State can breathe a little easier as the Black and Gold needed wins late in the season the past two years to earn a spot in the postseason.
"With so many games still head of us, we have a lot of opportunities to play for seeding," coach Strickland stated. Now, we can try to build where we stand in the tournament."
App State will look to continue its strong play at home with a 7 p.m. matchup next Friday against Georgia State at 7 p.m.
Senior Day Ceremony
Emmily Cowie Goal
Postgame Reaction
