FIELD HOCKEY HOLDS OFF MOUNTAINEERS, 3-1

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RADFORD, Va. – Freshman Meghan Smiga recorded her first collegiate goal and assist and Radford survived being a player down for the entire second half as it went on to defeat Appalachian State, 3-1, in a NorPac East matchup on Saturday afternoon from RU Hockey Field.

Smiga set up the sophomore Stacey Mackintosh's eventual game-winner in the first half and then gave the Highlanders (3-6, 2-1 NorPac) some breathing room late in the second half on a breakaway.

Senior Sidney Encarnacion made fives saves for the Highlanders, one of which came on a stroke late in the first half with Radford holding a 2-0 lead. Her counterpart Sarah Anderson registered four saves for the Mountaineers (2-6, 1-2).

Radford scored twice in the first 15 minutes and took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Junior Sydney Myrdal put the Highlanders on the board 5:39 into the match. Her service from outside the circle, tipped off Anderson's stick and into the cage.

Mackintosh doubled Radford's lead in the 15^th minute as her shot from the left bounced over the keeper for her second strike of the season.

The Mountaineers regrouped, and on their fourth corner of the half they were awarded a stroke following a red card to the Highlanders. However, Encarnacion was up to the task and made a diving save on Jessie Stuart's attempt with just under four minutes remaining in the half.

Appalachian State took advantage of its man-up situation to get on the board and cut Radford's lead to 2-1, 1:26 into the second half. Stuart sent a cross from the right baseline that found the stick of a wide-open Casten Farr on the far post for the Mountaineers' first goal.

Radford held off ASU's attempt to tie and regained its two-goal cushion when junior Kellen Keys found a streaking Smiga, who beat Anderson on a 1v1 situation after a nice move to get around the on-rushing keeper.

Radford held a slight, 12-11 advantage in shots, while Appalachian State had a 5-3 edge in corners.

The Highlanders hit the road on Tuesday when they face No. 4 Virginia at 6:00 p.m.

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