A Renewed Rivalry
Thursday night in Boone, North Carolina, the air crackles with anticipation as App State Soccer hosts Western Carolina in a matchup that has defined the state’s college soccer landscape for decades.
The Mountaineers arrived fresh off a 3‑1 victory over Campbell, a game that saw Reagan Sturgill open the scoring early and Libby Bermingham deliver a decisive double in the second half. Freshman Anaya Jones, making her first full appearance, contributed to the attack while goalkeeper Hanna Skogsfors turned in six saves, matching her career‑high.
Across the field, the Catamounts are looking to rebound from a narrow 2‑1 loss to UNCW, a game in which they struck first in the opening eight minutes before conceding an own goal just before halftime. Senior defender Malia Roberts finally found the net with her maiden goal of the season, a moment that could spark a turnaround.
The rivalry stretches back to 1999, with the Catamounts holding a 11‑4‑1 edge in 16 all‑time meetings. Their most recent encounter last season in Cullowhee ended in a 3‑2 thriller, where Ellie Garrison’s 90th‑minute strike sealed a dramatic win for App State.
Both programs enter the contest with distinct storylines: App State, preseason eighth in the Sun Belt, returns five veterans from last year’s squad, while Western Carolina, fourth in the Southern Conference poll, boasts nine freshmen and a Preseason All‑Conference defender in Mary Meuth.
As kickoff approaches, fans on both sides know that more than three points are at stake; it is a battle for bragging rights, momentum, and a place in a storied narrative that continues to unfold.