NORFOLK, Va. - Redshirt Freshman goalkeeper
Lauren Burke delivered a clean sheet between the posts in her first start of the season, helping Appalachian State University women's soccer (1-2-1) preserve a 0-0 tie against a high-scoring Old Dominion (2-0-1) team on Sunday evening.
Coming into the match, the Monarchs were 14th in the nation with eight goals scored in their first three contests while they were 42nd in goals per game. It's the first time since the 2016 season that ODU was held scoreless at home.
Burke stepped up against the hosts, as she played all 110 minutes and made five stops, three of which came in the opening frame. The Whitefield, Ga., native has played 155 minutes this season and hasn't allowed a goal with seven stops.
Appalachian's offense only came up with six shots in the draw.
Jamie Palermo and
Maggie Hanusek fired off two attempts while
Ava Dawson's shot on goal in the 26th minute was stopped by the ODU goalkeeper. It was the lone shot that was on target for App, and
Audrey Emerson came off the bench for a shot attempt.
The Mountaineers' defense bent but didn't break with a shot-happy ODU squad getting off 23 attempts. Appalachian's shutout on Sunday is the first time it has held an opponent scoreless on the road since 2016 at Georgia State.
App State will return to Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on Friday at 7 p.m. against South Carolina State to begin a stretch of six straight home games.
