BOONE, N.C. – Sophomore Kaylie Smith knocked in a rebound off a blocked shot for the only goal Sunday afternoon in Texas State's 1-0 victory over App State at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Bobcats have clinched a spot in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
 
"Road wins are never easy and today was no different. App State defended really well and their goalkeeper had some fantastic saves," said head coach Steve Holeman. "We played very well today and created a lot of quality chances."
 
"It feels great to have officially clinched our spot in the Sun Belt Tournament. Now we can focus in on our final game of the regular season."
 
TXST improved to 9-4-5 on the season and 5-1-3 in conference play while the Mountaineers dropped to 7-5-5 overall and 4-2-3 in the Sun Belt.
 
In just over the first 30 minutes of the match, Texas State had seven shot attempts to just one for the hosts. Three of the Bobcats' shots were placed on frame while Helen Alormenu hit the right woodwork midway.
 
The last good look on target came from Annabelle Fisher with seven and a half minutes left in the first half. The sophomore hit a curling shot from the top of the 18-yard box towards the far post that saw Sarah Wommack making a diving save.
 
In the 54th minute, App State nearly got on the board. Ellie Garrison got her head on a free kick with the ball heading towards the inside of the right post. Katelyn Chrisman had come out to attempt a punch on the ball but Kennley Bradley was able to get back and head the ball away from the frame.
 
Shots by Victoria Meza and Mady Soumare would be on target but end with Wommack pushing the ball out of play for corner kicks.
 
Garrison would again nearly put the Mountaineers in front when an attempt hit of the crossbar early in the 77th minute.
 
Soumare would battle into the box and take a shot with a little under 11 minutes left on the clock. Her attempt was blocked but squirted past the backline. Smith was the first to react and knocked it into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
 
Only two shots would be attempted by App State the rest of the match with both being blocked by a Bobcat.
 
Texas State had a 15-10 advantage in shots and 7-3 in shots on goal. Leading the way was Meza and Soumare with three apiece while Lily Erb and Smith took two shots each.
 
In goal, Chrisman made two saves in recording her second consecutive shutout. The senior moved into a tie for eighth in program history with six career shutouts and also tied for 10th in career saves with 111.
 
Next up for the Bobcats is the regular season finale on Thursday against Georgia Southern for a 6 p.m. kickoff at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.
 
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