App State began the new era under head coach Meghan Dawson with a 5-2 win over Limestone University in the field hockey team’s first action of the year.
Dawson, a first-year head coach, said she was pleased in her team’s competitive debut in the exhibition.
“It’s been good, as with any job there are new challenges, and my challenge with this team is to help the girls to believe in themselves and to believe they can compete,” she said.
Dawson had every reason to be pleased with her team’s effort and competitiveness, with the Mountaineers starting fast and never letting up. The Mountaineers struck early, with sophomore midfielder Taylor Cimbalist scoring six minutes into the exhibition. Appalachian scored again in the first half at the 16:20 mark on a goal by sophomore defender Rebecca McLean.
The second half was much of the same story with the Mountaineers adding goals late in the period at the 5:03 and 1:57 minute mark by senior forward Caroline Phillips and sophomore defender Abbie Roberts, respectively.
After two periods, with the score being 4-1, the teams decided to play an additional 20-minute third period. Phillips notched her second goal with 11:22 remaining. Limestone also scored at the 5:42 mark, the final goal of the game, giving the game a finish 5-2.
Sophomore forward Savanna Sheridan had a productive day as she assisted on three of the team’s five goals.
“It was good, they were leaving the stroke open so it was good,” Sheridan said.
Overall, App State showed a strong overall effort both offensively and defensively, as the Mountaineers finished with a 18-4 shot advantage against Limestone, including a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal.
“We were a little shaky at first. Meg [Dawson] tells us all the time to play as a team, to do the simple things, and when we did the simple things we were successful in the circle,” Phillips said.
The Mountaineers travel to Davidson on Saturday and Wake Forest on Sunday for two more exhibitions. The regular season begins Aug. 28 when the team travels to face Louisville.
Story: Lee Sanderlin, Intern Sports Reporter