Kennesaw, Georgia - Kennesaw State used three second half goals to power past Tusculum 3-1 Monday afternoon at the KSU Soccer Complex.
The Owls are now 10-2-0 and have won eight straight games, while Tusculum, ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division II, fell to 9-2-1 on the season and had their five game unbeaten streak snapped.
After a scoreless first half, Kennesaw State turned up the offensive pressure and took the lead early in the second half. After receiving a pass from Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Grzeszkowiak was able to find some space in front of the Pioneer goal and chipped a shot over Tusculum goalkeeper Alyssa Alterman into the top right corner of the net in the 52nd minute. KSU midfielder Alissa Saylor was also credited with an assist.
Just three minutes later, Annie Phillips put the Owls up 2-0 when she sent a shot past a diving Alterman into the top half of the net. Laura Tucker got the assist on the play, marking her 25th point of the season.
The Owls notched an insurance goal in the 82nd minute when Abby Hirsch penetrated the Pioneer defense with a couple of nifty moves and set up to take the point blank shot. But as Alterman came racing out to stop the shot attempt, Hirsch slid a pass to Mandy Nolin who easily directed the pass into the open net. The goal was the third of the season for Nolin.
Tusculum got on the scoreboard in the 88th minute when Courtney Hambel took a shot that rebounded off KSU goalkeeper Jessica Marek right to Becky Carreiro, who blasted home her fifth goal of the season.
Alterman had six saves for the Pioneers, while Marek recorded four.
Tusculum committed eight fouls compared to five for the Owls. The two teams took five corner kicks apiece.
The Owls stay at home for a match up against North Florida on Sunday, October 17. Kick off is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
