LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The App State Mountaineers (11-4, 5-1 MAC) are set to conclude their 2023 road schedule on Sunday as they travel to Louisville, Ky., to take on the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals at Trager Stadium. First touch is slated for noon and can be streamed on the
ACC Network Extra.
The Mountaineers are riding a six-game winning streak coming into Sunday's game and have clinched their spot in the 2023 MAC Tournament. It will be the second consecutive season that App State will play in the conference tournament.
With another shutout win against Ball State on Friday, the Mountaineers have posted three consecutive shutouts. App State has not allowed a goal since the second quarter of its game against Kent State on Oct. 6, marking seven consecutive scoreless halves and 243 straight minutes without allowing a goal.
After beating Queens last Sunday 7-0, first-year head coach
Emily Dinsmore became the first Mountaineer head coach to win 10 games in their first season since Mandy Latz won 12 games in her first year at the helm in 2003. Dinsmore sits just two wins shy of passing Mountaineer legend Jan Watson's record for wins by a first-year head coach.
"We are proud of the team and the effort they have put in thus far this season," Dinsmore said. "It's hard to win a hockey game and it's hard work to keep a team scoreless. We still have work to do and we will continue to focus on doing the little things because when you do the little things well, it adds up to big things."
The Matchup
- Who: App State at No. 8 Louisville
- Where: Trager Stadium // Louisville, Ky.
- When: October 22 // Noon
Last Time Out
App State defeated Ball State 1-0 in their last contest, marking the seventh consecutive matchup between the two teams to be decided by one goal. The Mountaineers have now won two straight matchups against the Cardinals.
The Mountaineers' shutout victory on Friday marked the third straight shutout posted by the Black & Gold and fourth of the season. Fifth-year goalkeeper
Addie Clark has now shut out three opponents this season in games where she has played the full 60 minutes and has notched 13 shutouts in her career.
Lise Boekaar's first-quarter goal was all the offense the Mountaineers needed on Friday as she scored in the seventh minute on an acrobatic play. Boekaar's goal would prove to be the game-winner, giving her two game-winning goals on the year.
Scouting the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers come into Sunday's game with Louisville riding a six-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 18-3 over those six games. The Mountaineers have not trailed at the conclusion of a quarter since the second quarter of their game against Central Michigan on Sept. 29.
Defense has been the key to the team's success this year as App State is allowing less than a goal per game in wins this season (0.73), compared to four goals a game in losses. The Mountaineer defense has been vital to the team's recent winning streak, as they have not allowed a goal since the second quarter of their game against Kent State on Oct. 6.
An impressive 12 players have scored a goal for the Black & Gold this season, with nine having found the net two or more times. Coming into play on Sunday, 16 players have recorded a point this season with 14 of those players tallying multiple points.
Charlotte Bosma leads the offense in goals, assists and points this season.
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, she was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time in her career.
Scouting the Cardinals
The Cardinals will be the third ranked team the Mountaineers have played this season as Louisville comes into Sunday's matchup ranked No. 8 in the country. Louisville is 12-4 on the year but has lost its previous three contests coming into this matchup with App State.
The Cardinal defense has been stellar this season, as they have allowed the fewest goals in the ACC. Defensively, Louisville is led by fifth-year goalkeeper Merlijn van der Vegt, who has the lowest goals-against average mark in the ACC.
Series History
This will be the 15th battle between the Mountaineers and Cardinals and first matchup since 2018. Louisville has won eight straight against App State and leads the all-time series 4-10-1.
No player on the active roster has played a game against Louisville, but assistant coach
Azure Fernsler played two games against the Cardinals as the Kent State goalkeeper in 2017 and 2019.
Coach's Thoughts
"We are excited to play against another ranked opponent and give it our all against Louisville on Sunday," Dinsmore said. "We want to build off our game from Friday and put together four strong quarters against a good team on the road. If we control what we can control, we will be successful.
Up Next
App State will return home after Sunday's contest and take on the Ohio Bobcats at Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field next Friday for their Halloween Costume Contest game. First touch is slated for 3 p.m. and can be streamed on
Twitch,
YouTube and our
Facebook page.
