OXFORD, OHIO – App State field hockey is set to compete in the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2019, after closing the regular season with nine straight wins and finishing conference play with a record of 5-2.
The Mountaineers will face off against Kent State at 2:30 p.m. on Friday in the last semifinal game. The winner of that matchup will see either Miami or Ball State in the championship game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
A live stream will be available for all games, and live stats will be available to follow along.
"I am extremely excited for our group to compete in the MAC tournament this weekend," head coach Meghan Dawson said. "Our team has grown tremendously since the start of preseason in August. They are always determined to give their best and work extremely well as a team and unit."
The last time these two teams competed, Kent State edged the Black & Gold 2-1 despite Friederike Stegen cutting the lead in half with three minutes to go in a late comeback attempt. The Golden Flashes' goal-scorers in that game were Agustina Florio and Jenna Mccrudden.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS (13-5, 5-2 MAC)
App State's 5-2 conference record is the best finish that the team has had since joining the MAC. The two losses came to Kent State and Miami by one goal apiece while the Mountaineers defeated the other MAC opponents by a total goal margin of 13.
Stegen, Anna Smarrelli and Pauline Mangold have led the offensive attack this season with a combined 71 points. Stegen leads the pack with 30, made up of 12 goals and six assists. Sarah Farrell has stuck out as a scorer during conference play, leading the team with five goals against MAC opponents.
Defensively, Addie Clark has had a career season, ranking eighth in the nation in three separate categories: save percentage (.792), goals allowed per game (1.05) and shutouts (6). Grace Ball and Allison Corey have played a large role in App State's impressive defensive showing this year as well, each having played over 1100 minutes in the backfield.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN FLASHES (8-9, 6-1 MAC)
Kent State has defeated every MAC opponent except for Miami this season, despite going to overtime against Ohio and Longwood. Most recently, the Flashes fell to Michigan State, 3-1, last weekend.
Patricia Strunk led the Flashes' offense with 17 points and started in all 17 matches this season. She ranked in the top 10 for the conference in goals (7) and shots on goal (29). In contests against MAC opponents, Strunk was tied for third overall and first among freshmen, with 13 points and six goals.
Cambra Soler recorded 15 points this season, including six goals and three assists. She was tied for fourth in the conference with a pair of defensive saves. During league play, she ranked third in points (14) and tied for third in goals (6).
