App State Soccer Closes Road Slate at Southern Miss

OPENING KICK: App State Soccer will play its final road match of the season on Friday, as the team travels to Hattiesburg, Miss. to take on Southern Miss at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Mountaineers will need a win and a James Madison loss at Georgia State to remain in contention for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
 
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS: App State enters the match 5-7-3 on the season and 1-4-3 in Sun Belt play following a 2-0 loss at home to Marshall on Sunday. App State recorded a season-high seven corner kicks in the match and generated several high-quality scoring chances but were unable to find the back of the net. The Thundering Herd struck for two second half goals which came 11 minutes apart. App State is led by graduate forward Izzi Wood who is tied for the App State program record for career goals after netting her 30th career tally at Coastal Carolina on Oct. 2 for her fourth goal of the season. Ellie Garrison also has scored four goals this season, while Kyli Switalski and Olivia Simon have netted three goals apiece. The defense is anchored by freshman Maddie Williams who has started all 15 games for the Mountaineers and has played all 90 minutes a team-high 13 times. If the Mountaineers can post wins in each of their final two matches this season, the team will have recorded three straight seasons of at least seven wins for the first time since 2014-2016.
 
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES: The Golden Eagles enter the contest with a record of 2-12-1 on the season and 1-7 in Sun Belt play, having lost six consecutive outings. The Golden Eagles have been outscored 52-11 this season including a 34-7 goal disparity in Sun Belt play. Redshirt senior midfielder Ryan Smith leads the team with three goals, including a pair of penalty kicks, while sophomore forward Lorilee Taylor has collected two assists. Junior goalkeeper Maddie Ellis has started 14 games in goal this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY: App State and Southern Miss are matching up for the third time in program history on Friday. App State has won both prior meetings, including a 1-0 victory in their most recent meeting in 2023 in Boone where Olivia Simon netted the game's lone goal in the third minute of play.

UP NEXT: App State round out the regular season by hosting Georgia Southern on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. at The Valley. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Eagles are 0-4-4 in Sun Belt play this season and host ULM on Friday.