SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State soccer team wrapped up the first half of Sun Belt Conference play with a 2-0 victory over Appalachian State Sunday afternoon at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
 
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 6-5-2 on the season and 2-2-1 in conference play while the Mountaineers drop to 4-7-2 overall and 1-3-1 in the Sun Belt.
 
TXST put immediate pressure on the APP backline. A cross in from Bailey Peschel was knocked around in the middle of the box before being corralled by Jordan Kondikoff. The senior's attempt was going in but cleared away from the line by a Mountaineer late in the second minute.
 
Almost midway through the fifth minute, another cross found its way to the center of the 18-yard box. An attempted clearance by an APP defender saw the ball end up in the back of the net for an own goal and 1-0 advantage for the Bobcats.
 
Just over four minutes later, Kaylee Davis had her first good look of the afternoon. The Allen, Texas native drove past multiple APP players before unleashing a shot from about 10 yards out that was knocked away for a corner kick.
 
Renny Moore placed a shot on goal late in the 11th minute towards the upper left corner off a free kick that was knocked away but not out of danger by the goalkeeper. Kondikoff's follow-up attempt went slightly wide of the far post.
 
The Mountaineers first dangerous attempt on frame came early in the 18th minute off a corner kick. The ball was headed back across frame to Ava Dawson, who headed the ball on goal. Heather Martin's quick reactions kept it out of the net and was cleared away by Gabie Jones.
 
Each team took two more shots in the period with none being on goal as TXST took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
 
During the 53rd minute, Solano battled and won a loose ball. She sent a pass to Davis, who in turn found Moore at the top of the penalty box. Moore took one touch to the right before smacking her shot into the left corner to increase the lead to 2-0.
 
The assist for Davis gave her 65 career points in a maroon and gold uniform and ties her for fourth in program history with Jaynee Sherman (2001-04).
 
Davis placed another strong shot on the frame 10 minutes later. The keeper made a leaping save at the near post to keep the Mountaineers' deficit at two goals.
 
APP's Mary Perkins ripped off a shot in the 86th minute from the near side of the box. Martin made a diving stop on the curling attempt to maintain the shutout.
 
Texas State outshot the visitors 11-7 with a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Davis led all players with four shot attempts while both she and Moore placed to shots on frame apiece. Also taking multiple shots for the Bobcats was Kondikoff with three.
 
Martin needed to record only two saves to post her fourth shutout of the season and 19th in her career. The Midlothian, Texas native moved past Brittany Beltramini (2003-06) into second place on the program's career list with 249 saves. Martin also became just the second goalkeeper in TXST history to play at least 5,000 minute between the posts, joining Kristen Tutt (1999-02).
 
Next up for the Bobcats is a home match with Louisiana on Friday at 7 p.m.
 
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