APSU Sports: Austin Peay Soccer
Clarksville, TN – After splitting a pair of road matches to open the 2012 season, Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team begins its home schedule with a 7:00pm, Friday match against Appalachian State at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field.
“We’re excited to be at home,” said head coach Kelley Guth. “It’s great for our team to be at home, not only to play on our great surface but in front of our students and local community.”
Defender Taylor Van Wagner scored her first career goal and senior Emily Perkins also put one in the net for the Lady Govs last weekend.
Austin Peay is pleased to welcome back Natalia Ariza and Tatiana Ariza. The twins missed last weekend’s matches after representing their native Colombia in the 2012 London Olympics. They will be available against Appalachian State and Guth expects them to be in the starting lineup and receive significant playing time.
Both goalkeepers earned some time in net last weekend. Junior Haylee Shoaff made 14 saves in the opening weekend, starting both games. Freshman Nikki Filippone made three saves and didn’t allow a goal in the second half against UALR, earning her first career victory.
“Obviously, we want to get Nikki a bit of playing time to gain some experience,” Guth said. “Haylee’s been playing very well and came up with some huge saves against Arkansas.”
The Mountaineers come to Clarksville with an 0-1-0 record after dropping a 1-0 decision to ACC foe Clemson to open the regular season. Appalachian State was 6-11-2 last season, tying for 10th in the Southern Conference. Appalachian State returns nine starters, including keeper Amy Kolowsky (95 saves in 2011) and senior midfielder Hannah Coad (two goals, four assists a year ago).
This will be Austin Peay’s first meeting with the Mountaineers. The Lady Govs are 3-8-1 all-time against current Southern Conference opponents, with all three victories coming against Chattanooga (2006, 2010-11).
The Lady Govs are off the remainder of the weekend after Friday’s game and will hit the pitch again Tuesday at 7:00pm when they host Lipscomb.
