Mountaineers Look to Bounce Back After Friday's Loss

BOONE – The App State field hockey team (2-1) takes on VCU (1-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Mountaineers look to bounce back following Friday's loss to Richmond.
 
The Matchup

• Who: App State vs VCU
• Where: Cary Street Field // Richmond, Va. 
• When: September 8 // 1 p.m.

 
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers fell to the Richmond Spiders (2-1) in Friday's matchup, to a score of 2-1. Henriette Stegen would find the back of the cage, her second of the season. Although leading the shot count throughout the game, two unanswered second-half goals would defeat the Mountaineers.
 
Scouting the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers come into this matchup winning 11 of their last 13 games, dating back to last season. App State has only allowed two goals this season over a span of three games, conceding their first late in the third against Richmond.
 
The Mountaineers have been pressing the attack, averaging 12 corners a game, which is first in the MAC and fifth in the country.
 
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 Sophia Baxter were also both named to the All-MAC Freshman team. The 2024 team will also feature six newcomers to the high country. Dinsmore was also awarded Co-Coach of the Year in her first season with the team. 
  
Scouting the Rams
VCU enters this matchup against the Mountaineers after coming off a 13-6 (5-2 A10) season in 2023. The Rams will be led by head coach Stacey Bean, who is in her eighth year with the program.
 
Series History
This is the 22^nd matchup against the Rams, with a record of 3-18. The Mountaineers last faced off against the Rams in 2017, where App State would defeat them on the road in an overtime finish.
 
Up Next
The Mountaineers will return to Boone for a Friday matchup against Wake Forest. First touch is slated for 6 p.m.