BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University field hockey (6-1, 0-1 MAC) had its six-game winning streak snapped in a 6-5 loss to Ohio on Friday night.
Appalachian's Mid-American Conference opener at Adcock Field featured high-powered attacks from both the Mountaineers and Bobcats (4-1, 1-0 MAC). Ohio jumped out to a 2-1 advantage in the first quarter before App State responded with the game's next four scores, giving the Mountaineers a 5-2 lead entering the final period.
After sophomore
Anna Smarrelli tallied her third goal of the season in the first quarter, junior
Chloe Bell and freshman
Rachel Fleig notched a solo goal apiece to propel App State to a 3-2 halftime lead.
Junior
Veerle Van Heertum continued the App State momentum with two penalty corner goals in the third period, blasting shots past the Ohio goalkeeper to record her second and third goals of the season. Van Heertum and Smarrelli led the Mountaineers with three shots each.
With the Mountaineers possessing a 5-2 lead entering the final period, the Bobcats responded with four goals in the fourth quarter to clinch the conference victory. Three of Ohio's four goals came off penalty corners, while the fourth goal came on a converted penalty stroke from Kendall Ballard. Leah Warren registered the game-winning strike with less than one minute remaining in regulation.
App State fired 13 shots, 10 of which were on goal. The Mountaineers also tallied five penalty corners, converting three of those five opportunities into goals.
Friday's loss snapped Appalachian's six-game winning streak, which was its longest winning streak since 1985. The Black and Gold's 6-0 start was also the team's best start in program history.
The Mountaineers continue their home stand on Sunday with a matchup against No. 1 North Carolina at 1 p.m. UNC defeated No. 7 Louisville 4-1 on Friday.
