App State women’s soccer defeated the University of Miami by a score of 1-0 Sunday. It was the Mountaineers’ first home game of the season at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex, and the first time hosting a power conference opponent since 2021.

The first half ended scoreless, though the Hurricanes created several opportunities. Miami had the ball in App State territory numerous times but redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Claire Jacobi handled the shots with ease.

“Our goal was to just get in front of every shot that we could and just stay together as a unit,” Jacobi said.

The first shot on goal for the Black and Gold came in the second half with junior midfielder Olivia Simon getting past a defender and taking a strike right outside of the box that had to be saved by the Miami goalkeeper.

Later on in the half, sophomore midfielder Walker Bristow played a ball to sophomore forward Ellie Garrison who was tripped up by the defender, and a penalty was given to the Mountaineers. Garrison comfortably slotted the penalty shot to the goalkeepers’ left, and App State took the lead. 

Miami had 10 minutes left to even the game and the Black and Gold stayed focused on closing it out.

“Our team has a reset method; we just tell each other that we’re having a great time. Just having fun with it,” Jacobi said.

App State kept the door closed, and the Mountaineers beat their first power conference opponent since 2016.

“This means everything to us. Having all of our community out here, our fellow athletes here. It just means a lot to have everyone behind us cheering us on,” Jacobi said.

App State will host Davidson Thursday at 6 p.m. in Boone. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.