App State Soccer Team Hosts Division-Leading James Madison

Image Courtesy Of App State Facebook

Appalachian State Soccer aims to ascend the Sun Belt East standings when they welcome James Madison on Sunday at 1 p.m. at The Valley. The Dukes currently lead the division with seven points against eastern division opponents, while the Mountaineers enter riding momentum from their recent 1-0 home victory over South Alabama on September 26 and Thursday’s hard-earned point on the road against Coastal Carolina.

Mountaineers Finding Form

App State enters the contest at 5-5-2 overall and 1-2-2 in Sun Belt Conference play following Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina. Graduate student Izzi Wood made history during that match by scoring her 30th career goal, tying Casey Cleary (2005-2008) for the program’s all-time scoring record.

Wood has discovered her scoring touch recently, netting four goals this season with all coming in the last six matches. She shares the team lead with Ellie Garrison, who remarkably scored all four of her goals during the season’s first three contests. Redshirt sophomore Kyli Switalski has contributed three goals for App State, with two originating from set piece situations.

The defensive foundation has been anchored by freshman sensation Maddie Williams, who has started all 12 matches this season and completed the full 90 minutes a team-high ten times. Fellow freshmen Morgan Chapman and Lucy Harrington have also secured starting positions on the back line, highlighting the youth movement defining this year’s squad.

Dukes Arrive as Conference Favorites

James Madison enters Sunday’s matchup with a formidable 6-3-4 overall record and 2-1-2 conference mark. The Dukes generated headlines during nonconference play by defeating NC State 3-0 to open the season, followed by a 1-1 draw against No. 9 Penn State and a 1-0 victory over Maryland.

Currently riding a three-match unbeaten streak, JMU has outscored opponents 9-2 during this impressive run. The Dukes have registered 29 assists on their 25 goals this season, ranking 20th nationally in helpers and demonstrating their unselfish, possession-based approach.

James Madison earned preseason Sun Belt Conference championship predictions, collecting nine of the 14 first-place votes. Ginny Lackey received Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year honors after capturing both Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year recognition last season. She paces the team with seven goals and five assists through the current campaign.

The Dukes seek to defend their Sun Belt tournament championship earned by defeating Texas State in the 2024 title game in Foley, Alabama.

Series History Favors Visitors

Sunday marks the sixth all-time meeting between these programs, with James Madison holding a 4-0-1 advantage in the historical series. The Dukes dominated last year’s encounter in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a 3-0 victory and also secured an overtime triumph in the 2023 Sun Belt tournament.

However, the Mountaineers earned a thrilling 1-1 draw the last time these teams met in Boone, with Summer Bowman netting the equalizer in the 89th minute of regulation, providing hope for Sunday’s home contest.

Perfect Penalty Execution

App State has achieved flawless performance from the penalty spot this season, converting all four attempts including game-winning strikes against Miami and South Alabama in 1-0 victories. The Mountaineers join an elite group of just six NCAA programs (Bellarmine, Detroit Mercy, Florida, Georgetown, Oklahoma) maintaining perfect penalty kick records with four conversions this season. Ellie Garrison (2-for-2) and Izzi Wood (2-for-2) have shared responsibility for this unblemished mark.

Rising to Quality Competition

According to Massey Ratings, App State has performed exceptionally against elite opposition, posting a 2-1-1 record against their four highest-ranked opponents this season. This includes victories over Miami (70) and South Alabama (117) plus a draw at Old Dominion (73). James Madison (69) represents the second-toughest opponent on paper that App State will face this season, trailing only Clemson (46) on the schedule.

Incredible Izzi: Record-Tying Achievement

Wood’s historic 30th career goal in Thursday’s draw at Coastal Carolina elevated her into a tie with Casey Cleary for most goals in program history. The sixth-year standout has now scored goals in consecutive matches and netted four times in her last six outings. She has appeared in 82 matches across five seasons, the third-most in program history, despite missing the 2021 campaign due to injury. Wood came off a career-high 11-goal season in 2024, which matched the single-season program record.

Home Field Advantage

During Haywood’s three seasons leading the program, the Mountaineers have compiled a formidable 17-7-6 home record (.667), outscoring opponents 45-25 at The Valley. App State posted a program-best 13-match unbeaten streak from October 14, 2022, through August 29, 2024, demonstrating their fortress-like home form.

Youth Movement Continues

Eleven of App State’s 27 roster players are freshmen or redshirt freshmen, with nine more being sophomores or redshirt sophomores. Many have secured prominent roles early in their Boone careers, building the foundation for sustained future success.