HATTIESBURG, Miss. – App State graduate student
Izzi Wood broke a 1-1 tie in the second half by netting her 31
st career goal, setting the App State Soccer career scoring record and lifting the Mountaineers to a 2-1 victory over Southern Miss.
Playing in her 86th career match, which ties
Mumu Guisasola for second all-time, Wood broke the deadlock by heading home the go-ahead goal in the 56th minute on a right-footed cross from senior
Reagan Sturgill. Sophomore
Ellie Garrison picked up the secondary assist.
The scoring title is the most recent accomplishment in a decorated career for Wood, who has been named an All-Sun Belt and All-Southeast Region selection each of the past two seasons. The Hickory, N.C. native eclipsed Casey Cleary's record of 30 career goals which had stood since 2008.
"I couldn't have done this without my teammates, coaches, and family," Wood said. "I think it's a testament to the work that I've put in over the years and the support I have received, but most importantly, it shows the type of program App State soccer is. Scoring goals takes everyone – teammates, coaches, strength coach, athletic trainer and all of App Nation. I'm forever grateful to be a part of App State history."
App State (6-7-3, 2-4-3) opened the scoring just before halftime when freshman
Libby Bermingham netted her first career goal in the 43rd minute of play. On an App State free kick, freshman defender
Maddie Williams played a long ball into the box and sophomore
Walker Bristow was able to head the ball across the goal mouth and right to Bermingham for the headed finish.
Southern Miss (2-13-1, 1-8-0) leveled the score early in the second half when Zayla Reagan was able to sneak a shot just inside the near post in the 50th minute of play.
The Mountaineers finished the afternoon with 11 shots, including five shots on target, led by Bermingham's three shot attempts. Wood,
Kyli Switalski and
Olivia Simon also tallied two shots apiece.
Redshirt freshman
Anna Claire Jacobi totaled two saves to earn the win.
With James Madison's victory over Georgia State, App State has been eliminated from the Sun Belt tournament.
App State will close out the regular season on Wednesday when App State hosts Georgia Southern at The Valley. App State soccer will be hosting a Halloween costume contest at halftime and all students in attendance will receive free pizza while supplies last. First touch is set for 6 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
