BOONE, N.C. – App State field hockey will kick off its 2023 preseason slate by welcoming the Liberty Flames to Brandon & Erica M. Adcock Field on Friday at 1 p.m.
“The team has put in a lot of work this preseason and have really been pushing themselves and working hard,” coach Emily Dinsmore said. “It’s going to be cool to see them be able to put that into play and compete against a team like Liberty.”
The Matchup
- Who: App State vs. Liberty
- Where: Brandon and Erica M. Adcock Field
- When: August 18 – 1 p.m.
Scouting the Mountaineers
Coming off one of the best seasons in program history that culminated in the program’s first-ever MAC championship game appearance, the Mountaineer field hockey team will look to build off recent success under newly minted head coach Emily Dinsmore.
The 2023 Mountaineer squad will feature five players who garnered All-Mac selections in 2022. Fifth-year players Sarah Farrell and Addie Clark earned All-MAC second-team honors, while the trio of Lise Boekaar, Henriette Stegen and Bridget Donovan were named to the All-MAC Freshman team. The 2023 team will also feature eight newcomers to the high country.
The Mountaineers led the MAC in shutouts in 2022 with seven. The defense was anchored by senior defender Grace Ball, who played in every minute of every game last season, and Addie Clark, who finished second in the MAC in both save percentage (0.779) and goals against average (1.09).
Ball and Clark will serve as team captains of the 2023 squad. Ball was a team captain last year, while Clark served as the vice-captain.
Scouting the Flames
Liberty comes into the 2023 season as the reigning Big East Tournament champion and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Dinsmore is a Liberty field hockey alum, appearing mostly on the defensive side during her time with the Flames.
Coach’s Thoughts
“For us, we’ve been talking about a love for competition and a drive to compete for one another,” Dinsmore said. “For Friday, we just want to give it everything we have and play App State field hockey.”
Up Next
App State will head to Winston-Salem to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the team’s final exhibition contest on Aug. 20. First touch is set for 1 p.m. from Kentner Stadium.
