BOONE N.C. – Despite enduring a brief weather delay to open the game, the App State Mountaineers shut out the Towson Tigers 3-0 to open the regular season on Friday. It was the third straight year that App State (1-0) has shut out the Tigers (0-1).
App State led for the entire game, scoring their first goal in the dying embers of the first period. The Mountaineers would go on to score in the third and fourth periods, while making it hard for the Tigers to get into attacking position.
Junior Samantha Connors scored the first goal of her collegiate career late in the game, extending the Mountaineers' lead to three. Grace Ball and Charlotte Bosma also found the back of the cage to cap off the scoring.
Senior goalkeeper Claire Grenis was stellar in the cage for the Mountaineers, as she recorded two saves in the contest, while holding the Tigers scoreless throughout the entirety of the game.
Program founder, Dr. Jan C. Watson was recognized before the game, as the playing surface was dedicated to her and her contributions to the university.
How it Happened
1st: The first period started off tight with the Mountaineers dominating the bulk of the possession battle, until Bosma took a pass from Bridget Donovan to break the scoreless draw. The Mountaineers never trailed after Bosma's strike.
2nd: Both sides were held scoreless in the second, with the Mountaineers playing solid defense, keeping the Tigers out of scoring position. The half would end with a narrow 1-0 lead for the Mountaineers.
3rd: The Mountaineers turned up the pace in the third, tallying 12 shots while drawing five attacking corners. Captain Grace Ball would score off of one of the set pieces, giving Ball her first goal of the season, along with assists for Henriette Stegen and Noa Ginjaume Matas. The Mountaineers entered the fourth with a 2-0 lead.
4th: It would be more of the same for the Mountaineers, as their defense only allowed two shots off in the period. Connors would score her first goal of her career late in the period, giving the Mountaineers a comfortable lead to close out the game.
Match Notes
Goals
App: Bosma (1), Ball (1), Connors (1)
TU: N/A
Assists
App: Donovan (1), Stegen (1), Ginjaume Matas (1)
TU: N/A
Winning Goalie – Claire Grenis (1-0): 2 saves, 0 goals allowed
Losing Goalie - Tessa Scheenstra (0-1): 12 saves, 3 goals allowed
Up Next
The Mountaineers will stay in the High Country to take on the Georgetown Hoyas in a home matchup on Sunday. First touch from Jan C. Watson Field is slated for noon.
