STATESBORO, Ga. - Senior forward
Kat Greer scored two goals to lead Appalachian State University women's soccer (5-4-1, 2-0 SBC) to a 2-1 victory at Georgia Southern (3-6, 1-1 SBC) on Sunday afternoon at Eagle Field.
The Mountaineers are 2-0 in the Sun Belt for the first time since their first year in the conference in 2014. Appalachian also surpasses last season win total, while the back-to-back road victories are the first since 2015.
"Today was a gritty game against a tough, disciplined Georgia Southern side," head coach
Sarah Strickland said. "I thought we weathered the storm from their system of play and countered the fact that Georgia Southern had Friday off while played double overtime and traveled."
Greer, who scored Friday night's game-tying goal to force overtime in the 3-2 win at Troy, put a stamp on her stellar weekend with her first-career multi-score game.
With the scored tied, 1-1, in the second period,
Ava Dawson served up a long ball to Greer in the box before the Cayce, S.C., native nailed her shot inside the left post to push App to the 2-1 lead and eventual victory.
The Eagles' final opportunity came at 80' when Junique Rodriguez' header was on target, but
Jamie Palermo came away with the pivotal defensive save to keep the one-goal lead safe for the rest of the contest.
Both teams were scoreless in the first half until
Jessica Easley had a long free kick to the box that connected with Greer for a header into the net, giving the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead.
Georgia Southern answered just six minutes later thanks to a goal by Tyler Gordon.
The score stayed at 1-apiece going into the half after Dawson's shot attempt just missed as she hit the crossbar.
Appalachian outshot GS, 13-9, while both of its shots on target were scores. Five of the Mountaineers' shots on goal for the weekend turned into goals.
Taylor Ray earned the start for App and played all 90 minutes, registering three saves.
Greer,
Blair Anderes and
Kristin Brown led the offense with two shot attempts.
App State will close out the three-match road trip next Saturday at Coastal Carolina, who is also undefeated in the Sun Belt with a 3-0 mark. The showdown is at 2 p.m.
"I'm proud of this program and grateful for all the support that has surrounded us," Strickland continued. "I'm excited for our alumni that attended the 50th year anniversary in women's sports and appreciative to those that have been texting us that were unable to attend. We look forward to next weekend and hope to see fans at our Coastal Carolina game and are willing to support the rebuilding of Coastal by donating supplies for their rebuilding process."
