OXFORD, OHIO – No. 6 seed Appalachian State scored a pair of goals off penalty corners, as the Mountaineers earned a 2-0 upset win over third-seeded Longwood field hockey Thursday afternoon in the MAC quarterfinal at the Field Hockey Complex on the campus of tournament host Miami (OH).

Veerle Van Heertum tallied with a goal and an assist to lead a Mountaineers team that took advantage of two of the five penalty corners. Rachel Gaines made three saves in goal to earn the shutout and lead the Mountaineers (7-13) to the semifinals against No. 2 seed against Kent State.

"Obviously we're very disappointed. I want to thank the seniors for four years of amazing commitment," said Longwood head coach Iain Byers. "I want to thank them for their determination and everything they've shown the program. This isn't how we wanted to go out as a group, but it shouldn't be reflective of what was a great season for us. It certainly hurts to lose this one, but this group did a lot of things to be proud of."
 
Appalachian State prematurely ended another winning season for the Lancers (9-7) in which they finished above .500 for the third straight year, secured their third straight top-three finish in the MAC and finished second in the conference in both goals per game and goals against average.
 
Longwood's senior class – Sophia DeFeo, Elle Richardson, Kourtney Landis and Leonie Verstraete – closes their successful careers having lifted Longwood into two MAC semifinals, winning at least nine games the last three seasons and helping the Lancers to their first win over a top 20 team earlier this season against Liberty.  

Additionally, Verstraete ends her career with her name etched throughout Longwood's record books, placing sixth all-time and third in the Division I era in both goals and points, along with becoming just the second Longwood player to thrice earn All-MAC honors.

Van Heertum had her shot deflected past Longwood's second-team All-MAC selection Katie Wyman in the 20th minute, before scoring her 10th goal of the season early in the second half to increase the Mountaineer lead to 2-0.

Longwood threatened with a comeback midway through the second with a late flurry and forcing Gaines into a series of saves.

Verstraete led the Lancers with five of Longwood's seven shots in the game with three of those on target.

In goal, Wyman made two saves on seven shots faced in 64 minutes before giving way to Abigail Goldberg.

Byers will return a strong stable of 20 letterwinners for the 2019 season, including Wyman, MAC Freshman of the Year Luna Lopez and All-MAC Second Team performer Olivia Wawryzniak, who finished sixth in the league with seven goals.

#GoWood