CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The App State field hockey team will take on No. 2 North Carolina on Friday at 6 p.m. The Mountaineers are coming off a 6-0 victory over the Queens Royals last Tuesday.
Sophia Baxter,
Bridget Donovan,
Hadley Kuzmicky,
Baylie Phillips, and
Henriette Stegen all scored, extending the team's winning streak to four games to begin the season.
Scouting the Mountaineers
After winning back-to-back Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season championships, the Mountaineers have carried that momentum into the 2025 season.
Over the first four games, they lead the conference in goals (23), assists (17), total points (63), shots on goal (50), and corners (42).
Boekaar has been on a tear this season, leading the MAC in goals (7), assists (11), and total points (25). 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.
On the defensive end, Baxter has been a force, earning the MAC Defensive Player of the Week honor for her play against Davidson.
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 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: returners Baxter, Boekaar, Grimbergen, and Stegen, and newcomers
Kate Richardson and
Calista Schwartz. Baxter represented the Mountaineers at the Senior Nexus Championship last summer.
Goalkeeper
Claire Grenis, defender
Sarah Perkins, and forward
Bridget Donovan will serve as captains for the 2025 squad.
Scouting the Tar Heels
North Carolina enters the matchup after a 20-1 (8-0 ACC) overall season in 2024. The Tar Heels, after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament, fell in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament to Saint Joseph's 2-1. North Carolina is led by head coach Erin Matson, who is in her third year at the helm after a decorated playing career. The Tar Heels welcome 11 newcomers to the 2025 squad: eight freshmen and three transfers.
Series History
App State fell to North Carolina 5-0 last year in the High Country. The Mountaineers trail in the all-time matchup with a 2-23-1 overall record.
Up Next
The Mountaineers will return to Boone, N.C., to take on the Ohio Bobcats to begin conference play next Friday. First touch at the Dr. Jan C. Watson Field at the Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field Hockey Complex is slated for 3 p.m.
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