DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Sophomore
Veerle Van Heertum's goal in double overtime propelled Appalachian (4-1) to a 3-2 comeback victory. The win marks the second-straight game where the Mountaineers battled back to notch the winning goal in extra time.
Davidson (2-3) led Appalachian 2-1 late in the second half before head coach
Meghan Dawson called a timeout. With just over four minutes remaining, Dawson decided to pull junior goalkeeper
Rachel Gaines, allowing the Black and Gold an extra player on the field.
Dawson's gamble proved pivotal. Less than a minute later, junior
Melissa Nobile smashed home a goal off of a penalty corner to send the game to overtime tied at 2-2.
"The decision to pull Rachel was something I learned from being at UNC," Dawson said. "We pulled her and believed in our defense to withstand anything Davidson threw at us. You get more scoring opportunities, and that's exactly what happened for us."
In the first overtime, sophomore
Annette Jarosz made a defensive save on a Wildcats' penalty corner to preserve the tie. Van Heertum then converted the golden goal just two minutes into the second overtime.
The Wildcats stifled the Mountaineers offense in the first half, allowing just one shot and taking a 1-0 lead into halftime. Appalachian's offense roared to life early in the second period, where junior
Ali Williams netted the equalizer only eight minutes into the half.
Davidson quickly struck back to take a 2-1 advantage in the 51st minute. Sophomore Sydney McKenna notched her second goal of the night after starting the game on the bench.
Appalachian outshot the Wildcats 13-5 in the second half, ending the game with a 17-11 advantage. The Mountaineers also recorded six of the game's final seven penalty corners.
Van Heertum paced the Mountaineers with six shots, four shots on goal, an assist and one score. The Valkenswaard, Netherlands, native is tied with Williams with three goals this season.
Gaines delivered another solid outing in the goal cage, making four saves while allowing only a pair of goals.
Friday's victory gives Appalachian a 4-1 record in its past five games against the Wildcats.
"Davidson is always a tough team to play against, especially this season to score against," Dawson said. "I'm so proud of our group for being able to come away with the win."
The Mountaineers will go for their fourth-straight victory on Sunday when they travel to Harrisonburg, Va., to battle James Madison (1-3). Game is set to start at noon.
