LYNCHBURG, Va. – After scoring the game-winning goal in both of App State's opening weekend victories, junior
Meghan Smart notched the game-winning strike in the fourth quarter to lift Appalachian State University field hockey to a 3-2 victory over Lafayette on Friday night.
The victory moves the Mountaineers to 3-0, marking the third-straight season App State has registered a three-game winning streak.
"I'm proud of our group for coming together," head coach
Meghan Dawson said. "They worked through mistakes and frustrations to come out on top. Lafayette is an extremely talented team, and everyone pieced it together tonight."
After Lafayette (1-2) scored within the first three minutes of the game, freshman
Sarah Farrell notched her first goal in an App State uniform to tie the game in the 21
st minute. Farrell's strike from the right side contributed to a 4-1 shot differential in the second period.
The Mountaineers then snatched their first lead of the night on Smart's fourth goal of the season. Sophomore
Sydney Lee recorded the assist on Smart's score in the 37
th minute. With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Leopards responded with a goal from Felicitas Hannes to even the game at 2-2.
Farrell and senior
Michelle Taylor applied pressure early in the final period, each recording a shot before Smart netted the game-winner with less than four minutes remaining. Freshman
Rachel Fleig delivered the pass to Smart for the clinching goal, notching her first assist as a Mountaineer.
"I'm extremely impressed with Meghan," Dawson said. "She continues to have great composure around the cage and works hard off the ball."
The Mountaineers fired seven shots on target and tied the Leopards with 13 shots apiece. App State dominated the second and fourth periods, outshooting Lafayette 7-2 between the two quarters.
Eight Mountaineers recorded a shot in Friday's triumph. Smart led App State with three shots while Farrell, sophomore
Friederike Stegen and junior
Veerle Van Heertum each registered two shots apiece.
Senior
Rachel Gaines made four saves, including two in the second half. The goalkeeper has made 13 saves and boasts an .867 save percentage this season.
App State returns home for its season opener against Davidson (0-3) on Sunday. The matchup at Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field is set to begin at noon.
