MUNCIE, Ind. – Riding a MAC-high five-game winning streak, the App State Mountaineers (10-4, 4-1 MAC) will continue their four-game road swing in Muncie, Ind., where they will take on the Ball State Cardinals (6-8, 2-3 MAC) on Friday. First touch from the Briner Sports Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on
ESPN+.
The Mountaineers will hit the road for their final two road games of the season this weekend. Through the first 10 road games, App State has posted an 8-2 record, which leads the conference, and are scoring 3.3 goals per road game. No other team in the MAC has won more than six games away from their home field.
Defense has been the key to the Mountaineers' success this season as they are allowing less than a goal per game (0.8) in wins, compared to four goals in losses. Coach Dinsmore's defense has not allowed a goal since the second quarter of their game against Kent State on Oct. 6, marking 12 consecutive scoreless quarters posted by the Black & Gold.
With App State's 7-0 win over Queens last Sunday, head coach
Emily Dinsmore and her squad notched their 10th victory of the season. Dinsmore became the first Mountaineer head coach to win 10 games in their first season at the helm of the program since Mandy Latz won 12 games in her inaugural season in 2003.
"The mentality our team has had this season has been crucial to our road success," Dinsmore said. "We embrace road trips because it gives us an opportunity to bond with one another and spend time together as a team. That bond shows on the field and is why we are successful away from home."
The Matchup
- Who: App State at Ball State
- Where: Briner Sports Complex // Muncie, Ind.
- When: October 20 // 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers capped off the first half of their four-game road trip with a 7-0 victory over the Queens Royals on Sunday. The team's seven goals were the most it has scored in a single game this season and most since they scored 10 against Queens in Boone last October.
Five Mountaineers found the back of the cage Sunday, with
Sophia Baxter and
Sarah Farrell both notching multi-goal games. For Farrell, it was her first multi-goal game since last October when she scored twice against Queens in Boone. Baxter's two scores marked her second career multi-goal game and was the first time she has scored since she scored twice against Georgetown on Aug. 27.
Claire Grenis and
Addie Clark combined to shut out the Royals on Sunday, marking the second consecutive shutout posted by the Mountaineer defense. The two keepers faced just three shots on the day, with Grenis picking up the lone save of the contest.
Scouting the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers come into Friday's game with Ball State on a five-game winning streak and are outscoring their opponents 17-3 over those five games. Due to their recent play, App State finds itself with the best record in the MAC with just four games to play in the regular season.
With App State's two shutout victories over Longwood and Queens last weekend, the Mountaineers have now posted three shutouts this year. The Mountaineer defense has not allowed a goal since the second period of their game against Kent State on Oct. 6, marking 12 consecutive scoreless periods put up by the Black & Gold.
Hadley Kuzmicky scored another goal against Queens on Sunday, giving her five scores in her last eight games. After scoring her first career goal against the Bellarmine Knights on Sept. 15, the sophomore has vaulted herself into the top 15 in the MAC in goals scored with all five coming in the last month.
Fifth-year goalkeeper
Addie Clark saved the 250th shot of her stellar App State career against Kent State on Oct. 6. Because of her nine-save performance against the Golden Flashes on Oct. 6, she was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in her career.
Scouting the Cardinals
Ball State has been streaky thus far this season, experiencing two four-game losing streaks and a five-game winning streak through the team's first 14 games. The Cardinals are 6-8 this season and are coming into Friday's matchup with App State after posting a 3-2 victory over Big 10 opponent Indiana last Sunday.
Sophomore forward Fleur Knopert has been dynamite for the Cardinals this season, notching a MAC-high 12 goals coming into play on Friday. Knopert has twice been named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week this season.
Series History
The Mountaineers and Cardinals will be meeting for the 15th time on Friday, with Ball State leading the series 5-9. App State has won two of the previous three matchups with Ball State, including a 1-0 double overtime thriller last year in Boone. Each of the last six contests between the two teams has been decided by one goal.
Fifth-year goalkeeper
Addie Clark has started four games against Ball State in her career and has been a part of two Mountaineer shutouts against the Cardinals. Clark has saved 12 Cardinal shots in her career.
Coach's Thoughts
"We've done an excellent job at minimizing mistakes and fine-tuning the little things over this recent stretch of play," Dinsmore said. "We always work hard and train hard, but over this five-game winning streak, we've fine-tuned the little things that have led to success. If we continue to set ourselves up for success by minimizing mistakes, we can be great."
Up Next
After Friday's conference showdown, the Mountaineers will head to Louisville, Ky., for the second time this season to face the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals to conclude their 2023 road schedule. First touch from Trager Stadium is scheduled for noon and can be streamed on the
ACC Network Extra.
