BOONE, N.C. — The App State field hockey team will hit the road for Virginia, first taking on MAC opponent Longwood on Friday, before returning to the High Country for a ranked Sunday matchup against No. 17 UMass.
Sunday's game against No. 17 UMass will be the Pink Game in support of the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show support, as there will be a relay race and a giveaway of select items.
The Mountaineers (10-3, 4-1) are looking to remain in the win column after taking wins against Central Michigan, 4-0, and the program's first win over a Big Ten opponent coming against Michigan State, 3-1, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sophia Baxter was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season for her performances last weekend, a program record in a season. She scored two goals and added a defensive save.
Friday's Matchup
- Who: App State vs. Longwood
- Where: Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field // Farmville, Va.
- When: Friday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m.
Sunday's Matchup
- Who: App State vs. No. 17 UMass
- Where: Dr. Jan C. Watson Field at the Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field Hockey Complex // Boone, N.C.
- When: Sunday, Oct. 19, noon
Scouting the Mountaineers
Through 13 games, the Mountaineers lead the conference in corners (100) and are second in goals (50) and scoring average (3.85), assists (38), total points (138) and shots (211). Nationally, the Mountaineers are third in goals per game (3.85), points per game (10.62) and scoring average, while also seventh in assists per game (2.92) and penalty corners per game (7.69).
Lise Boekaar has been on a tear this season, leading the MAC in assists (18) and total points (38) while also tied for fourth in goals (10). She is first in the nation in assists per game (1.45) and fourth in points per game (2.92). Her performance during the opening weekend earned her the MAC Offensive Player of the Week honor after she was responsible for the team's first 10 goals of the season.
Boekaar currently holds the App State record for the most assists in a single season (18), along with the most career assists in App State field hockey history, breaking the record with her 32nd career assist against Central Michigan last Friday. She currently has 33 on the season, adding to her total.
On the defensive end, Baxter has been a force, earning three Defensive Player of the Week awards this season, most recently coming after wins over Central Michigan and Michigan State. Baxter is currently tied with Boekaar for the most goals scored for App State, with 10 from the center back position.
The 2025 team features three players who earned All-MAC selections in 2024. Midfielder Boekaar was named to the All-MAC First Team and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) South Region First Team.
Henriette Stegen was named to the All-MAC Second Team, while
Frederique Grimbergen earned a spot on the All-MAC Freshman Team.
Six Mountaineers are on the 2025 NFHCA Division I Watch List: returning players Baxter, Boekaar, Grimbergen and Stegen, and newcomers
Kate Richardson and
Calista Schwartz. Baxter represented the Mountaineers at the Senior Nexus Championship last summer.
Scouting the Lancers
Longwood (3-9, 1-4 MAC) enters the matchup after a 5-12 (3-7 MAC) season in 2024. Most recently, the Lancers fell to UMass, 5-0, on the road in Amherst, Mass. Longwood is coached by Miranda Rigg, who is in her fourth year at the helm of the program.
Scouting the Minutewomen
No. 17 UMass (11-2, 4-1 MAC) enters the matchup after an 17-6 (7-0 A10) season in 2024. In their last game, the Minutewomen took down Longwood, 5-0, at home. UMass currently has the best goals against average in the conference, allowing .77 goals a game, and has only allowed 10 goals throughout the entire season. Their defense is anchored by Myrte Van Herwijnen in goal, who leads the conference in shutouts (six) and save percentage (.831). UMass is coached by Barb Weinberg, who is in her ninth year at the helm.
Series History
- vs. Longwood: This is the 45th all-time meeting between the Mountaineers and the Lancers, with App State trailing in the series 13-31. The Mountaineers have taken the last three games, dating back to 2022.
- vs. UMass: This is the first all-time meeting between the Mountaineers and the Minutewomen.
Up Next
The Mountaineers will hit the road for the next two games, taking on Ball State on Friday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m., followed by a ranked, nonconference matchup with Wake Forest on Sunday, Oct. 26, at noon.
