BOONE, N.C. – Senior
Michelle Taylor netted her first goal of the season in the third quarter to lift Appalachian State University field hockey to a 1-0 win over La Salle.
The Mountaineers (7-3, 0-2) earned their seventh victory of the season, already tying the team's win total from a season ago. App State's sixth shutout victory of 2019 also snapped a three-game losing streak.
"Today was really important for us to get some of our mojo back," head coach
Meghan Dawson said. "We had a heartbreaker two Fridays ago against Ohio, and for us this a quality win over a good La Salle team. For us to get that win and grind through it, it gave us our confidence back."
After a strong initial push from the Explorers (4-5), Appalachian's defense stifled La Salle's attack for the remainder of the half. The Mountaineers allowed just two shots in the first half, outshooting the Explorers 10-2 through the first 30 minutes.
With the game tied seven minutes into the second half, sophomore
Friederike Stegen slashed through the middle of the circle before laying off a pass to Taylor for the eventual game-winning score. Taylor's tally in the 38
th minute made her the eighth Mountaineer to register a goal this season. Stegen's assist increased her total to five in 2019, which ranks first on the team.
Less than a minute later, senior goalkeeper
Rachel Gaines recorded a save to maintain the App State lead. Appalachian's defense then shut down the Explorers, not allowing a shot in the final 22 minutes of action.
Ten Mountaineers fired shots in Sunday's victory, including four players not in the starting lineup. Junior
Meghan Smart led App State with five shots and four shots on goal. Juniors
Veerle Van Heertum and
Chloe Bell recorded two shots apiece.
Gaines made three saves to secure her sixth shutout in 2019, boosting her career total to 12 clean sheets.
App State begins another road swing on Friday with a Mid-American Conference matchup at Central Michigan (2-8, 0-2 MAC). Friday's contest is set to begin at 3 p.m.
