Strong Second Half Leads 'Cats to 4-1 Victory Friday

Friday, September 30

Davidson, N.C.

6:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

(2-8)

Appalachian State

(1-8)

Team	1	2	Final F
App. State	1	0	1
Davidson	1	3	4

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Strong Second Half Leads 'Cats to 4-1 Victory Friday

9/30/2016 8:57:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

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DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson field hockey picked up its second win of the season Friday night in a dominating 4-1 victory over in-state foe Appalachian State Friday at Belk Turf Field. The Wildcats improve to 2-8 on the season, while the Mountaineers drop to 1-8.

Sophomore Courtney Byler turned in a career night, recording three assists and two defensive saves to help lead the effort. Scoring the goals for the 'Cats were seniors Becca Jones and Katherine English, junior Paige Albert, and sophomore Leigha Nortier. Sophomore keeper Bean Rodriguez collected five saves, while freshman Sarah Zeszotarski picked up some minutes late in the contest and recorded two.

"I'm excited to get the win today, and that was a great team effort, especially in the second half," head coach Ginny Turner said. "I'm really proud of how we came back after getting scored on and could put more balls in the cage.I can see this as a turning point for the season, and we look forward to building on this Sunday."

Davidson attacked first, scoring within the first ten minutes of the game off a corner. Making her long-awaited return from injury, junior Hannah Fisher sent the ball in, finding the stick of Byler, who connected sights with Jones, who sent the ball rolling to the back right of the cage.

The Mountaineers replied shortly after, penetrating close to the cage and finally chipping one in to the high right side to net the equalizer.

The second half started with Davidson controlling possession, picking up back-to-back-to-back goals less than ten minutes and five minutes apart in to take the lead and then add insurance.

The go-ahead also came from a penalty corner, as Fisher once again lined up, sent it into Byler, who tapped it to English who sent it forcefully to the back left. The 'Cats next goal came courtesy of Albert as Byler once again send the ball down to a wide open right side of the cage and the eagerly awaiting stick of Albert.

Not long after that, senior captain Anne Federico found the rebound of a wide shot from Jones, and chipped the ball up, where Nortier slammed it to the back of the goal for her first career goal.

The 'Cats continue their homestand Sunday, welcoming Pacific for a 2 p.m. showdown. The Tigers currently sit first in the nation in goals scored.