Appalachian State University's soccer team secured a 2-0 victory against Louisiana Tech University on Thursday, extending the Black and Gold’s winning streak to nine consecutive games. The road win in Ruston, Louisiana, also moved the Mountaineers to a 2-0 record in conference play. This match marked the first time App State had faced Louisiana Tech since the Bulldogs joined the Sun Belt conference this season.
From the outset, the Mountaineers demonstrated strong control over the game, dominating possession through much of the first half. They consistently maintained their offensive pressure in Louisiana Tech’s final third, creating numerous scoring opportunities. This relentless attack was evident as App State registered 11 shots on goal before the 30th minute mark, tirelessly challenging the home team's defense.
The Mountaineers' persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when junior forward Ellie Garrison broke the deadlock. Following a precise long ball delivered by sophomore goalkeeper Hanna Skogsfors, Garrison expertly settled the ball on its first bounce. She then swiftly drove it towards the net, successfully converting the opportunity to give App State a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, the Black and Gold found the back of the net once again, further solidifying their advantage. During a corner kick, Garrison took a shot that Louisiana Tech’s defense managed to save. However, Head Coach Aimee Haywood immediately challenged the play. After a subsequent referee review, officials determined that the final touch on the ball was a handball, leading to a penalty kick for App State. In the 39th minute, Garrison stepped up and calmly buried the shot, marking her sixth goal of the season and putting the Mountaineers up 2-0 before halftime.
Entering the second half with a comfortable lead, App State continued to dictate the pace of the game. The team effectively maintained the shutout, preventing Louisiana Tech from mounting any successful counter-attacks or scoring opportunities. The Mountaineers continued to hold the majority of possession throughout the second half, preventing the Bulldogs from gaining significant momentum. App State’s offensive drive remained strong, with the team adding another 11 shots in the second half. This brought their total shots for the match to 25, a statistic that clearly reflected their overall dominance against Louisiana Tech.
With this impressive victory, the Black and Gold are now preparing to return home for their next challenge. The team will look for its fourth straight win when it hosts Old Dominion University on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game is scheduled to be streamed live on ESPN+.
