By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — Izzi Wood scored two first half goals, both assisted by Ellie Garrison, but Radford scored three unanswered goals in the second half to defeat the Mountaineers, 4-2, snapping App State’s 13-match home unbeaten streak.
The Mountaineers (2-2-2) opened the scoring on a set piece in the 13th minute of play. With a free kick from the defensive side of midfield, Aleesia Ambrosio served the ball forward. Garrison lept in the air, flicking a header forward to Wood, who was able to finish with a strike into the bottom right corner of the net to give the Mountaineer a 1-0 lead.
After Radford (5-1) tied the score on a Paige Olson goal in the 32nd minute, the Mountaineers were quick to respond. In the 35th minute of play. Garrison fed Wood on a give-and-go at the top of the box, and Wood drilled a shot into the top-left corner of the cage for her second goal of the match.
For Wood, the goal was her third of the season and 18th of her App State career, moving her into a tie with Allison Osborne (1995-98) for seventh place on the career scoring list.
The graduate student had a chance for a hat-trick just eight minutes into the second half. Wood drew a foul in the Radford box but her penalty kick was saved by the Radford goalkeeper, Jordan Phillips.
Not long after, the match turned south for App State. Just three minutes later, Jashyra Johnson scored the equalizer for the Highlanders and then less than three minutes later, Johnson netted the go-ahead goal to give Radford its first lead of the match.
In the 66th minute, Helena Wilson was fouled in the App State box and converted the penalty kick to push the deficit to 4-2.
Garrison nearly got on the scoreboard for the third time in as many games in the 60th minute, but her shot went ringing off the crossbar. Garrison finished the match with nine shots, equaling Wood for the game high.
The Mountaineers out-shot the highlanders 25-11, but Radford held the advantage 8-7 in shots on target.
Gracie Giacoletto led the Mountaineers’ bench with 55 minutes of playing time. She made a spectacular defensive play in the 39th minute, making a back post save on a Radford corner kick to keep App State in front 2-1 going into halftime.
The four goals allowed were the most by the Mountaineers at home since conceding four goals to Pittsburgh in 2020.
The Mountaineers will look to rebound on Sunday when they face Davidson on the road at 1 p.m. The match will be televised on ESPN+.
