WASHINGTON – Senior goalkeeper
Rachel Gaines' seven saves helped Appalachian State field hockey complete the weekend sweep with a 1-0 win at Georgetown on Sunday afternoon.
The Mountaineers (2-0) recorded shutouts in two-straight games for the first time since 2017. App State shut out three-straight opponents in October 2017, blanking Central Michigan twice and Saint Louis once during the streak.
Appalachian also bested the Hoyas (1-1) for the first time since a 5-4 triumph in Boone in 2014. App State's 3-0 win over Towson on Friday was its third-straight season with a win in the season opener.
"We showed up not only on the field but also for each other," head coach
Meghan Dawson said. "Our biggest improvement today was how positive we were with each other. We supported each other, and our bench rallied for us. This is a huge moment for our program."
After a scoreless first half, App State broke the deadlock with a goal three minutes into the second half. Junior
Meghan Smart registered her third goal of season to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead. Senior
Melissa Nobile tallied her first point of the season with an assist on Smart's strike.
Gaines and App State's defense then locked down the Hoyas for the remainder of the contest. The senior made seven saves, including five in the third quarter, to preserve Appalachian's second shutout win.
App State edged Georgetown 11-10 in shot attempts, holding the Hoyas without a shot in the final period. The Mountaineers and Hoyas also tied in penalty corner attempts with eight apiece.
Smart and junior
Veerle Van Heertum paced the Mountaineers with three shots each. All three of Smart's shots were on frame, while Van Heertum, senior
Ali Williams and freshman
Rachel Fleig all notched a shot on goal each.
The Mountaineers close out their schedule away from Boone with a neutral site matchup against Lafayette on Friday in Lynchburg, Va. The Leopards opened the season with a 2-1 victory at home against VCU on Friday.
Sunday's victory also marked the first 2-0 start for Dawson in her time as App State's head coach.
