Box Score
ROCK HILL, SC – Appalachian State midfielder Stephanie Balzano scored on a penalty kick in the 76th minute to lift the Mountaineers over the Winthrop Eagles 1-0 on Friday evening at Eagle Field.
The Eagles record falls to 3-4 with the defeat, while the Mountaineers improved to 3-2-1 with the victory.
The goal by Balzano came after she took a pass on the Winthrop side of the field, dribbling her way into the box and drawing a foul from the Eagle defender. Balzano capitalized on the penalty by sneaking her shot through the right side of the net and past goalie Dimi Poulos.
Winthrop had several opportunities to score throughout the match, but could not convert on any of them.
Erin Foote had a chance to give the Eagles the lead in the 12th minute taking a shot from 15 yards out, but Appalachian State goalie Caroline Clarke made a leaping save to deny Winthrop the lead. Foote would have an opportunity to tie the game in the 78th minute, but her shot would go just high of the top post.
“Both teams played with a lot of intensity and drive tonight,” said head coach Melissa Heinz. “We just did not take enough shots. We created a lot of opportunities, but just could not get the shots off.”
The Eagles managed to take 10 shots on the evening with six going on target, while Appalachian State took a total of 18 shots and seven attempts on goal.
Winthrop was led on offense by Foote and Chelsea White who each had three shots, while Stevie Lucas, Brittany Soto, Jessica Hausfeld, and Chelsea Tidwell all took one shot apiece.
Poulos would finish the game with a total of six saves for the Eagles.
Winthrop will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 21 as it will host Austin Peay at 1:00 p.m. at Eagle Field.
