A pair of free kick goals in the opening half for the home team were too much for the App State women’s soccer team to overcome on Sunday, as they dropped a non-conference matchup to Radford, 3-1, at Cupp Stadium.

Five minutes into play the Mountaineers served a ball into the box which slipped through the fingertips of the Radford goalkeeper, bounced around in front of the goalmouth, and squirted harmlessly out of play, foreshadowing a first half full of bad breaks for the Black and Gold.

The Mountaineers entered the contest working on a run of four consecutive clean sheets, but that impressive stretch of defense ended in the 23rd minute when Katie Fuller was assessed a yellow card for a slide tackle about 25 yards out. Radford took advantage, as Helena Wilson ripped a shot over the wall and into the net to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead. That put an end to App State’s defensive streak at 487 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal.

App State was victimized by a questionable foul less than ten minute later, this time Skyler Walk was called for a slide tackle in the box, which resulted in a penalty kick goal by Alexeis Kimos of the Highlanders. Walk was later disqualified from the match on a red card in the 77th minute, marking the first time this season she has not played the full 90 minutes.

Less than a minute after the second Highlanders goal, Radford struck again, this time on a long range shot from Paige Olson which curled into the far corner of the net.

App State broke up the shutout in the 72nd minute. Off a Lela Stark corner kick, Stephanie Barbosa ripped a shot from the top of the box. Her initial attempt was blocked, but the rebound came right back in her direction and Barbosa drilled the one-timer into the back of the net to make it 3-1.

App State finished the match with 12 shots, with Barbosa and Izzi Wood pacing the team with three attempts apiece.

The Mountaineers will return to southwest Virginia on Thursday when they take on the Liberty Flames at 6 p.m. The match will be broadcast on ESPN+.