BOONE, N.C. – App State Soccer wrapped up their spring season with an undefeated record, posting three wins and two draws, while several players on the team enjoyed their very first taste of collegiate competition.
The Mountaineers opened the season with three matches on the road, earning a draw against Virginia Tech on Feb. 18 in their first match. The following weekend, App State posted a win over Presbyterian and a draw against South Carolina.
"It's really important, actually," Assistant Coach Mark Catterall said of the team's unbeaten spring campaign. "I think for us, striving to win, and competing, it's not a switch that you can turn on and off. I know sometimes the narrative around spring games is that they are throw away games, but for us they're really important. It goes back to creating that culture of competing to win every game."
The results against the Hokies and Gamecocks were especially impressive, as Virginia Tech made the NCAA tournament in the fall for the fourth time in the last five seasons, while South Carolina won the SEC tournament title on their way to a pair of NCAA tournament victories, and a berth in the Sweet 16.
"I think those games show the individual grit and competitiveness of our players, but also a commitment to the team and the structure that we put in place," Catterall added.
App State concluded their play this spring with home wins over Davidson and Lees-McRae.
Izzi Wood led the Mountaineers with six goals in five games this spring, after netting six goals in the fall to lead the squad. Overall, App State netted eight goals, and posted three clean sheets in five matches.
Freshmen
Aleesia Ambrosio,
Bella Doganavsargil,
Reese Robinson, and
Reagan Sturgill earned playing time for the first time in a Black and Gold uniform.
Sturgill, who was still recovering from ACL surgery in the fall, showed off her footspeed in her time on the field this spring.
"Especially the last two games at home, she showed really good glimpses of the player that she can be moving forward," Catterall said.
Another Mountaineer that stood out this spring was freshman
Felicia Erkenfeldt, who earned playing time in the fall, but was faced with a bigger adjustment than most of her teammates after coming to App State from Sweden.
"I think Felicia has really started to come out of her shell and compete – put tackles in, run people off the ball – but also she's able to do the things that make her such a good player in terms of getting the ball downfield and connecting with people," Catterall said. "Now she's started to pair all of that together, I'm really excited for her for the fall season."
The Mountaineers' growth as a team wasn't limited to their performances on the field, but also their personal development and team chemistry.
"We've done a lot of work with our leadership group and I think they've come a long way," Catterall said, noting that different players possess different leadership traits, which has turned the concept of leadership into a more collaborative experience.
App State will begin fall competition with exhibition games starting the first week of August. A complete fall schedule will be announced at a later date.
