App State field hockey encountered a challenging road trip to Ohio last weekend, falling to both Ohio University and No. 16 Miami University by identical 2-1 scores. These defeats mark the Mountaineers' third consecutive loss after an initial season start of 5-2. The team will return home to host Ball State University this coming Friday at 3 p.m.
The weekend’s contests began Friday against the Ohio University Bobcats. Sophomore forward Carlotta Fabian put the Mountaineers on the scoreboard swiftly, finding the back of the net less than four minutes into the game. The goal stemmed from a penalty corner play, with senior forward Brynn Shaffer providing the assist. App State maintained this narrow lead through much of the first half, aided by senior goalkeeper Dakota Anderson, who successfully turned aside an opportunity from Ohio late in the second quarter, preserving the Mountaineers' advantage heading into halftime.
However, the Bobcats rallied in the third quarter. Ohio evened the score midway through the period, converting a penalty corner into a goal. They then seized the lead with under two minutes remaining in the quarter, again capitalizing on a penalty corner play. The Mountaineers pressed for an equalizer in the final quarter, registering four shots. Two of these attempts were blocked by the Bobcats' defense, while the other two missed the target. Ohio held on to secure the victory, handing App State its first conference loss of the season.
Sunday afternoon brought another formidable challenge as the Mountaineers faced No. 16 Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The RedHawks quickly established a lead, scoring approximately four and a half minutes into the first quarter. App State responded in the second quarter when sophomore back Ellie DeHart found the net, scoring the team’s only goal of the game. Notably, this goal was also the Mountaineers' only shot during the entire match, and it successfully deadlocked the game at 1-1 midway through the second quarter.
Miami (OH) demonstrated a strong offensive presence throughout the game. In the first half alone, the RedHawks launched six shots, with four of them directed on goal. Despite the sustained pressure, goalkeeper Dakota Anderson proved to be a formidable barrier, successfully saving all four shots on goal, which kept the score tied at halftime. The intensity continued into the third quarter, where Miami (OH) unleashed six more shots. Anderson once again rose to the occasion, rejecting all three shots that were aimed her way during the quarter, preventing Miami from regaining the lead.
Despite Anderson’s heroics in goal, the Mountaineers struggled to generate offensive momentum following DeHart’s equalizer. Miami (OH) eventually broke the deadlock with less than eight minutes remaining in the game, securing a 2-1 lead. The RedHawks then effectively shut down App State’s offense for the remainder of the contest, clinching the win and concluding the Mountaineers' road trip without a victory. This weekend's losses extended the team’s losing streak to three games, a notable shift after their strong 5-2 start to the season. The team looks to regroup as they return to home turf for their upcoming match.
