By Matt Present. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a hard-fought, sporadic contest that was moved to the campus of Queens University in Charlotte due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, a late App State goal from Kyli Switalski in the 72nd minute of play evened the score at one apiece, forcing a 1-1 draw on Friday night against Georgia State. The goal was the freshman’s second of the year.
The draw allowed App State (5-3-3, 2-0-1 SBC) to remain unbeaten in Sun Belt play, making them one of three teams with an unblemished conference record as of Friday’s games.
Despite being held scoreless for 72 minutes to start the game, the Mountaineers were not held quiet on offense as they tallied 12 shots, 10 coming in the second half alone, with four being on goal. Izzi Wood generated several scoring chances herself, which included two shots almost consecutively in the 58th minute.
Georgia State (1-6-5, 0-1-3) opened the scoring with a late first-half goal off the left foot of Aaliyah Faddoul, the Panthers’ leading scorer. It was the only goal to get past Mountaineer keeper Sarah Wommack all night.
Action picked up significantly in the second half of this high-tempo contest as App State controlled the ball in attacking position for most of the period before Switalski’s goal. Shots came from all over with both Ellie Garrison and Sydney Snowden taking shots at the net, but the score held serve.
It wasn’t until a free kick after a foul on the Panthers did the Mountaineers’ persistence pay off. From just outside the box, Switalski took the free kick chance and rifled a shot to the lower third of the net, finally helping the Mountaineers break through on the scoreboard.
After the equalizer, App State remained aggressive, firing three more shots at the net in the final 18 minutes. A rocket off the foot of Stephanie Barbosa nearly gave the Mountaineers a late lead, but it missed just high.
As part of App State’s 12 shots, nine came from the trio of Wood, Barbosa and Garrison.
The Mountaineers are scheduled to play Thursday, Oct. 10 against Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m., tentatively at the Ted Mackeroll Soccer Complex.
