Dawson and Easley Named 2019 Captains

BOONE, N.C. - App State women's soccer seniors Ava Dawson and Jessica Easley were named captains for a second straight season. The pair played their first season together in 2016 and will spend their final season together as captains.

"Ava and Jess both lead by example day in and day out," head coach Sarah Strickland said. "They hold themselves accountable to the highest of standards and always look for ways to serve others around them. It's always a privilege to be named a leader among your peers, but Jess and Ava have earned that through their daily grind to better themselves and the team. I'm excited to see how they grow throughout the semester and the legacy they leave on this program."

The duo played pivotal roles in a bounce-back 2018 campaign, where the Mountaineers went 9-9-1 with a 6-4 Sun Belt mark. Appalachian more than doubled its win total from 2018 and won its most league matches since joining the conference. 

Easley is coming off her best season in a Black and Gold uniform, starting in all 19 matches and upping her streak to 38 consecutive starts. The Waxhaw, N.C., native was second on the team with 1,720 minutes played, posting one goal and a personal-high three assists.  Her career-high five points all came during Sun Belt action, while being named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week after an assist in a 2-1 win over Coastal Carolina. For her career, Easley has started in 38 of 45 appearances with 3,508 minutes played and five points. 

Easley on being named captain
"Being named captain is such an honor. Everyday when I step out on the field, I look around and I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful and inspiring women. They challenge me to be my best every day, hold me accountable, and provide the greatest support system anyone could ask for. It's so humbling and only makes me want to work that much harder. I love this team and I would do anything to help this team be successful!"

Dawson also put in a solid season in a career-high 19 matches and was fifth on the team in minutes played (1,510). She was tied for third with two goals and two assists, becoming one of four players with multiple scores and assists. Over the past two seasons, Dawson has started in 27 of 36 matches with five goals and two assists for 12 points. 

Dawson on being named captain
"It's really an honor to be a captain and to lead this team. Everyone on this team is a leader in their own way. Jess and I being a captain for a second year in a row gives us experience under our belt. We both have our different ways of leading, and I think we even each other out.  We have a really good balance on and off the field. It's a good year so far and we're going to keep developing our leadership every day."

The duo will look to lead the Apps this weekend when they travel to Radford on Friday in the 7 p.m. season opener before heading to Wake Forest on Sunday for a 6 p.m. tilt.