Troy University Athletics
Troy University
App State
10/31/2026 11:26:00 AM | Soccer
TROY, Ala. – Troy soccer closes out its regular season Sunday afternoon with a spot in the Sun Belt Championship on the line. The Trojans travel to North Carolina to face App State, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. CT.
Troy enters the final day of Sun Belt play in a three-way tie for eighth place in the conference standings. Six teams remain in contention for the final four spots in the conference tournament, with the top eight teams qualifying for the Sun Belt Championship, scheduled for Nov. 9-14 in Foley, Ala.
Troy (4-9-4, 3-4-2 SBC) earned a crucial victory last Sunday, defeating Arkansas State 2-1 on Senior Day. The Red Wolves struck first in the 34th minute, but second-half goals from Grace DeShetler and Alaina Uncapher lifted the Trojans to victory. It marked Troy's first win this season after conceding the opening goal. DeShetler's first career goal came on her 44th career shot.
App State (10-3-4, 5-2-2 SBC) sits tied for third in the conference standings and has already clinched a spot in Foley. The Mountaineers have won two straight and earned points in three consecutive matches, most recently defeating Marshall, 1-0.
Match Information
The Matchup: Troy vs. App State
Location: Boone, N.C. - Appalachian Soccer Stadium
When: Sunday, November 1– 12 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: TroyTrojans.com/livestats
What's at Stake
On Sunday, Troy will look to qualify for the Sun Belt Championship for the first time since 2021. While a win would not guarantee the Trojans a top-eight finish, a loss would eliminate them from postseason contention. Georgia Southern currently holds the tiebreaker over both Troy and Southern Miss, with all three teams tied at 11 points.
Reliable Richards
Fifth-year goalkeeper Taylor Richards has been a steady presence in net for the Trojans this season, starting all 17 matches. Richards ranks 13th nationally with 1,530 goalie minutes played and 20th with 87 saves. The Plano, Texas, native has made crucial stops in multiple matches to help the Trojans earn points in conference play, including an important save to preserve the win over Arkansas State last Sunday.
Scouting App State
App State enters Sunday with a 10-3-4 record and a 5-2-2 mark in Sun Belt play. The Mountaineers are currently tied for third place in the table and boast the second-highest RPI at 62. Ellie Garrison's 10 goals rank 30th in the nation, while goalkeeper Hanna Skogsfors' seven shutouts is 35th nationally. Combined with Garrison, the Mountaineer defense has let up just 0.76 goals per game, good for second in the conference and 46th in the country.
Series History
- Troy is 4-6-1 all-time against App State.
- The Trojans last defeated the Mountaineers in 2021, a 1-0 win in Troy.
