BOONE N.C. – App State Soccer and Western Carolina renew their in-state rivalry as they face off in Boone on Thursday for the first time since 2012. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. App State Soccer will be giving away vuvuzelas at Thursday's contest, while supplies last.
The Mountaineers (1-1-0) return to The Valley after a 3-1 win against Campbell on Sunday. Following a quiet first half, the Mountaineers came out strong after halftime with
Reagan Sturgill tapping the ball in for the first goal of the season. Sophomore
Libby Bermingham scored two goals in the second half, one being a go-ahead goal and the other securing the match. It marked the first two-goal game by a Mountaineer since
Izzi Wood scored two goals at Longwood last September. Freshman
Anaya Jones continues to excel during her freshman year. Jones started her first game for the Mountaineers and played for the full 90 minutes. App State took 16 shots and fired six shots on goal in the win.
Hanna Skogsfors matched her career high with six saves. App State was picked to finish 8th in the Sun Belt preseason poll. The Mountaineers return five players who played in all 17 matches a season ago.
The Catamounts (1-1-0) are coming off a 2-1 loss against UNCW. Western came out hot, scoring a goal in the first eight minutes of the match against the Seahawks but conceded a decisive own goal late in the first half. Returning senior Malia Roberts headed in a corner kick for her first goal of the season. The Catamounts have won at least 10 games each of the last three seasons, including a pair of regular season titles and a trip to the NCAA tournament in 2023. Last season the Catamounts went unbeaten (5-0-4) on the road. Western Carolina departed four of its top five scorers from a season ago and feature nine freshmen on its roster this year. The team was picked fourth in the SoCon preseason poll and senior defender Mary Meuth was selected to the Preseason All-Conference team.
App State and Western Carolina have played 16 matches dating back to 1999. The Catamounts lead the 11-4-1 record all-time. The teams met last season in Cullowhee, N.C. where the Mountaineers defeated the Catamounts 3-2, behind a dramatic go-ahead goal from
Ellie Garrison in the 90
th minute to cap a brace.
