LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Caroline Phillips scored two goals and assisted on two others to help Appalachian State University field hockey secure Meghan Dawson's first win as head coach. The Mountaineers downed Missouri State with a score of 6-4 on Sunday afternoon inside Trager Stadium.
"I am proud of the effort the team put forth today and it wasn't an individual win, but a team win," said Dawson. "The girls played off of each other, picked each other up and stayed focused on the game plan while maintaining a high tempo. Their fitness showed during the game and I am proud of them for staying engaged mentally the entire time."
Despite being outshot 21-10 by the Bears (0-2), six of App State's (1-1) 10 shots found the back of the cage while Missouri State was able to convert on just four of their 21 attempts.
The Bears were on the board first with a score just over 14 minutes into the contest but C. Phillips and company just needed some time to warm up.
Just over three minutes after Missouri State went up 1-0, the senior knotted the score up at 1-1 with an unnassisted goal. Under five minutes later, she assisted on Sam Fuerstenberg's first career goal with a cross in front of the cage to the left side and the Apps had their first lead of 2015, 2-1.
With under two minutes to play in the first period, the Bears evened things up at 2-2 but C. Phillips continued to assert herself. For the last play of the half, she scored on a penalty corner with the help of Jordan Van Cleave and Taylor Cimbalist, and the Black and Gold were back out in front, 3-2.
Micaela Diedericks jumped in on the action with a goal 15 minutes and 40 seconds into the second half and C. Phillips turned in her second helper of the match on the play. Not even five minutes could pass and Cimbalist made it 5-2 in favor of Appalachian State thanks to a pretty pass from Charlotte Kirwan.
After Missouri State pulled within two, 5-3, Rebecca McLean scored on a penalty corner while both Cimbalist and Van Cleave knotched another assist. The Bears earned their fourth goal in the 70th minute and that is where the score would stand, 6-4.
"Missouri State is a very tough opponent that was physical, went to every ball and had very good basics," said Dawson.
Missouri State held a 12-7 advantage in corners but App State saved 13 shots compared to the Bears' one. That defensive effort was mostly due to Cristina Ceppi's 11 saves in goal and the team's two saves.
The Apps are off for nearly a week as their next match will be against Brown in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 5 at 12 p.m.
