The Appalachian State field hockey program capped the 2025 campaign with a 14‑6 record, earning a Mid‑American Conference Tournament berth as the third seed and climbing as high as No. 17 in the national polls, a program best.
Coaching continuity and contract security
Head coach Emily Dinsmore, who guided the team to a 3‑1 victory over Ohio University before falling in the semifinals to the University of Massachusetts, recently secured a contract extension through 2028, rewarding a tenure that includes six years as an assistant and three as head coach, plus a coach‑of‑the‑year award in her debut season.
The roster will lose eight seniors, among them Lise Boekaar, a three‑time All‑MAC first‑team selection and the school’s all‑time assists leader, but returning standouts such as Sophia Baxter, a four‑time defensive player of the week, and Kassie Paul, who logged over 800 minutes last year, promise continuity.
The upcoming schedule presents a gauntlet of top‑25 opponents, including UNC‑Chapel Hill, the national runner‑up, Wake Forest, Liberty, Miami (OH), and James Madison, as well as an early test against Towson University on August 28, preceded by a series of exhibition matches.
Despite a 0‑5 record against those elite teams last season, the Mountaineers hope the experience gained will translate into stronger performances, as they aim to defend their consecutive MAC regular‑season titles and push deeper into the postseason.