App State takes on Towson to Open Season Friday

BOONE – The App State field hockey team will kick off the 2024 season with a home matchup against the Towson Tigers on Friday at 4 p.m. This will be the third consecutive season that App State will open regular season play against the Tigers.
 
Prior to the game, the Mountaineers will dedicate the field to the legendary Dr. Jan C. Watson, the program's founder. Admission to tomorrow's game is free. 

The Matchup

• Who: App State vs Towson
• Where: Dr. Jan C. Watson Field at the Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field Hockey Complex // Boone, N.C. 
• When: August 30 // 4 p.m.

 
Scouting the Mountaineers
Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, tying the regular-season record of 14 wins, the Mountaineer field hockey team will look to build off a historic season under second-year head coach Emily Dinsmore.
 
App State was picked to finish second in the 2024 MAC Conference standings by the league's coaches. The team tied for first in the MAC last season after once again, tying a program-record for wins in a season with 14 and rattling off a nine-game winning streak to end the regular season. 
 
The 2024 Mountaineer squad will feature six players who garnered All-MAC selections in 2023. Midfielder Lisa Boekaar earned All-MAC first-team honors, while the trio of Charlotte Bosma, Grace Ball and Sophia Baxter earned All-MAC second-team honors. Florine Koopman and Baxter were also both named to the All-MAC Freshman team. MAC Co-Coach of the Year Emily Dinsmore is set to welcome six newcomers to the High Country this fall to pair alongside the returners.  
 
Ball, defender Sarah Perkins and goalkeeper Claire Grenis will serve as team captains of the 2024 squad. Ball was a team captain last year, while Perkins and Grenis will get their first action as captains. 
 
Scouting the Tigers
Towson enters this matchup against the Mountaineers after coming off a 6-12 (1-5 CAA) season in 2023. The Tigers are led by head coach Katie Gerzabek Salem, who is in her second season with the program.
 
10 players on the 2023 Towson roster played in last year's loss to App State. Fifth-year forward Gianna Antone scored the lone goal for the Tigers in that match.
 
Series History
App State defeated Towson on the road in last year's season opener 3-1. Currently, the Mountaineers are on a six-game winning streak in the all-time series against the Tigers and are 6-5 overall.
 
13 players saw the field against the Tigers in 2023. Henriette Stegen and Charlotte Bosma both scored in last year's matchup on the road. 
 
Ball and Bosma have each played three games against Towson in their careers. Bosma recorded a goal and assist in last year's matchup.
 
Up Next
The Mountaineers will stay in the High Country to take on the Georgetown Hoyas in a home contest with first touch set for Sunday at noon.