By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — Freshman Ellie Garrison netted a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes of the opening half — the first two tallies of her collegiate career — to lead the Mountaineers past Longwood 2-0 Thursday at The Valley.
The victory extends the Mountaineers’ (2-0-2) home unbeaten streak to 13 consecutive games.
After waiting out a two hour and 10-minute weather delay that went into effect less than four minutes into the match, Garrison put on a show for the fans who valiantly waited for the game to resume.
Her first goal came in the 30th minute of play. Off a corner kick from Shannon Studer, the ball deflected around in the box and landed on the right foot of Garrison who slotted it home into the top left corner of the net.
Then, less than five minutes before halftime, the Trinity, N.C. native was at it again. Garrison collected the ball near midfield, sprinted down the pitch and ripped a right footed shot just inside the near post to give the Mountaineers a 2-0 lead, which they would not relinquish.
For the third time in four games, redshirt freshman Sarah Wommack posted a shutout in goal. Wommack recorded four saves on the night.
Despite coming up empty on the score sheet, Izzi Wood put the pressure on the Longwood (0-3-1) defense throughout the match. Wood finished with seven shots and four on target, including a near-goal in the opening half that was foiled by a lunging Lancer defender after the goalkeeper came out to make the initial save on Walker Bristow’s shot attempt.
App State out-shot Longwood 14-7 for the match, including 7-4 in shots on target.
App State will put its unbeaten record to the test on Sunday, as the Mountaineers visit the 13th-ranked Auburn Tigers. First touch is set for 2 p.m. ET and the match will be broadcast on SECN+.
