A pair of failed clear attempts were costly for the Mountaineers on Thursday night in Lynchburg, as Liberty was able to capitalize on the miscues and deal App State a 2-0 loss at Osborne Stadium.

Playing without defender Skyler Walk for the first time in her career, as a result of a pair of yellow cards at Radford on Sunday, the Mountaineer defense was stretched even before the match began.

Liberty, which entered the match having received votes in this week’s top-25 poll and riding a 20-match unbeaten streak, opened the scoring in the 30th minute of play. Off a Flames corner kick, Kerry Eagleston punched away the initial cross but was unable to completely clear the danger, and Avenley Monteith lofted a shot that bounced off the crossbar and in to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Monteith is the sister of App State’s Breckyn Monteith who is out for the season due to injury.

The Mountaineers best chance came less than one minute into the second half. On a counter attack, Izzi Wood laid a ball into the middle of the field, and Olivia Simon slotted a pass through the box, but it was just out of the reach of a sliding Felicia Erkenfelt, who was looking for her first career tally.

Wood finished the match with three shots including two on goal, and had a good look late with a sliding effort with just under three minutes to play in regulation. Freshmen Summer Bowman and Simon each tallied a shot as well for App State.

Liberty scored their second goal in the 61st minute off a free kick. The Flames served the ball into the box and the Mountaineers were unable to clear, with Ivy Garner winning the foot race to the loose ball and tucking it past a charging Eagleston who was trying to cut down the angle.

Eagleston did finish the match with four saves, giving her 374 in her career, and placing her one shy of tying Kelley Guinn (1994-96) for the program record.

App State will return home to open Sun Belt Conference play this weekend, as they host the Troy Trojans, Sunday at 1 p.m. at The Valley. It’s alumni day, and all App State soccer alumni are invited to participate in a pregame brunch at the field, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The group will also be honored at halftime. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.