BOONE, N.C. – Returning home for the first time since Sept. 22, the App State Mountaineers (7-4, 2-1 MAC) will welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes (3-7, 2-1 MAC) to Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field on Friday for a MAC Tournament Semifinal rematch from 2022. First touch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and can be streamed on
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The Mountaineers have won four of their last five home matches against conference opponents dating back to last season and seven of 10 home matches overall. In their last 10 games played at Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field, the Black & Gold are averaging 3.2 goals per game.
Defense has been the story of the season so far, as App State has held their opponents scoreless in nine halves this season. In App State's seven wins this season, they are holding their opponents to just one goal per game, while outscoring their opponents 20-7.
Production comes from all over the field for the Black & Gold as 15 Mountaineers have recorded a point this season coming into play on Friday. Of those 15 players, 14 have recorded two or more points while 12 players have scored at least one goal.
"Kent State plays a nice style of hockey that I love competing against," head coach
Emily Dinsmore said. "We want to prepare each week for the competition ahead, and we will continue to build on what we do well to have the most success against them."
The Matchup
- Who: App State vs. Kent State
- Where: Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field // Boone, N.C.
- When: October 6 // 3 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers took to Mount Pleasant, Mich., for two games last weekend, squaring off in a road dual with Central Michigan last Friday before battling with non-conference foe Lindenwood on Saturday. App State left Michigan with two consecutive 3-1 victories, marking the fifth and sixth road victories of the year.
Lise Boekaar and
Noa Ginjaume Matas were the stars of the weekend, with each posting two goals in the two games. Boekaar netted a fourth-quarter goal against Central Michigan on Friday, proving to be the game winner in that contest, and a goal in the early stages of the second quarter to give the Black & Gold a 2-0 lead against Lindenwood.
Ginjuame Matas scored a fourth-quarter goal in each game in Michigan with her goal against Central Michigan being her first career goal. She became the sixth Mountaineer this season to celebrate their first career goal and the 12th Mountaineer overall to find the back of the cage this season.
App State's defense once again reigned supreme in the two wins as they would hold their opposition scoreless in six of the eight quarters they played, including a stretch of 106 consecutive shutout minutes.
Scouting the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers have played just three home games this season, posting a 1-2 record in those three games. Although the record may not indicate it, the Black & Gold have found lots of success at home over the past two years as they have won seven of their last 10 games played at Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field and have averaged 3.2 goals per game over that stretch.
Defense has been the Mountaineers' calling card this season as App State is allowing just one goal per game in wins this season. Coming into play on Friday, the Mountaineers hold the second-lowest opponent goals-per-game average in the MAC, allowing 2.09 goals per game. Look for the defense to play a major role on Friday.
The Mountaineers boast a balanced attack on the offensive front with an impressive 12 players having found the back of the cage this season. Through the team's first 11 games, 15 players have recorded at least one point, while 14 of those 15 players have recorded two or more points.
Charlotte Bosma leads the Mountaineers in goals and points, having nailed four goals and tallying 11 points overall.
App State comes into play on Friday leading the MAC in assists with 22.
Sarah Perkins and
Florine Koopman have each dished out four assists while three others have recorded two or more assists.
Scouting the Golden Flashes
Kent State is 3-7 overall this season but are 2-1 in the MAC. The Golden Flashes won their last matchup against Ball State on the road in their third conference match of the season. Head coach Kyle Desandes-Moyer and the Golden Flashes have battled three ranked teams this year but are 0-3 in those contests.
Eva Usoz is Kent State's leading goal scorer as the freshman from Madrid, Spain, has netted six goals this season. Cecile van Eijck has started all 10 games for Kent State between the posts, saving 48 shots and allowing 23 goals this season.
Series History
The Mountaineers and the Golden Flashes have matched up 12 previous times, with two of them coming last season. The Golden Flashes hold the edge in the all-time series 11-1.
The last time the two teams matched up was in Oxford, Ohio, in the MAC Tournament Semifinal game, where App State picked up a 1-0 win, marking the first time the Mountaineers have ever beaten the Golden Flashes.
Charlotte Bosma scored the lone goal in the game, giving the Mountaineers a lead they would not squander and propelled them to their first MAC Championship game appearance in program history.
Goalkeeper
Addie Clark saved two shots and posted a shutout in the MAC Semifinal against Kent State, marking App State's seventh shutout of the 2022 season.
Coach's Thoughts
"Our mentality and mindset this week in practice is finishing and minimizing mistakes," Dinsmore said. "We want to get the ball on cage and be ready for rebounds, so we are best prepared for Friday. If we can take that mindset into Friday and the rest of the season, we will have a lot of success."
Up Next
After Friday's contest, the Mountaineers will head for Farmville, Va., where they will begin a season-long four-game road trip on Friday, Oct. 13, against the Longwood Lancers. First touch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
