RADFORD, Va. — Despite falling down 1-0 early in the match, Appalachian State University women's soccer battled back to score two goals to defeat Radford 2-1 on Sunday evening, improving to 3-1 on the season and tying a program-best start (1999).
"I'm so proud of these ladies," head coach Sarah Strickland said. "They battled for a full 90 minutes and earned the result. Radford is a very good program and has been a team we have struggled to beat for two years. It was definitely good to get back on track and see so many of the girls step up and make an impact in tonight's match. Jackie Nieradka and Morgan Mosack were incredible and both their first career goals, Taylor Ray was solid in the net and Kat Greer stepped in and created chances."
The Mountaineers found themselves in a familiar bad spot, falling behind early when Radford's (0-2) Jasmine Casarez put an unassisted goal on App State when she stole the ball in the box, pivoted and fired one into the high-right of the net in the 12th minute.
But Appalachian stayed focused and continued to attack, keeping the pressure on the Highlanders throughout the entire match. The constant attack allowed senior Jane Cline in the 23rd minute to find senior Nieradka who blasted her first career goal through the uplefts of the net from 30 yards out to equalize the match. The assist moves Cline into tied-third in all-time career assists (13).
It wouldn't be until the second half when a corner kick by sophomore Greer found redshirt sophomore Erin Settle who headed it toward the far post where junior Mosack (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day School) was able to put it home for her first career goal and game-winner.
Redshirt freshman Ray made her first career start in the net for the Mountaineers and had plenty of shots fired her way. The goalkeeper had two saves on 11 shots faced with only the one goal allowed.
On Target, On Goal
Appalachian fell down early but put on an all-out offensive after falling behind 1-0. Not only did the Black and Gold outshoot Radford 12-11 in total shots, but App held the more important shots-on-goal advantage, 9-3. The Mountaineers also had a season-high 12 corners in the effort.
Individually, the Mountaineers were led on the attack by Nieradka, Mosack and Cline, who all two shots on goal. Also getting one shot on goal was redshirt senior Jenn Bass, Greer and freshman Kristin Brown.Â
Freshman Maggie Hanusek, junior Lindsey Tully also had one shot on the evening.Â
Looking Forward
The Mountaineers will now go on to finish their road trip at Liberty on Friday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. App State then returns home on Sunday, Sept. 4 to face Maryland. Kickoff for the home match is scheduled for 1 p.m.
