Aug. 25, 2006
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Junior Sarah Marek scored a goal and added an assist as Kennesaw State downed Georgia State, 3-0, at the KSU Soccer Complex on Friday night's home opener for the Owls.
The Owls (1-0-0) dominated play throughout the match, and found themselves ahead early as sophomore Mandy Nolin scored her first goal of the season from 15 yards out to give the Owls a 1-0 lead just five-and-a-half minutes into the game.
"We looked much better than we did against Auburn," said head coach Rob King. "We were able to control the ball more and I thought our possession and touches were great."
KSU continued to apply the pressure in the first 45 minutes of play, as senior Laura Tucker quickly fired a hard shot, but the Panthers' Charlotte Vargo was able to coral the save. Despite out-shooting Georgia State (0-1-0) 9-3 in the first stanza, the Owls went to the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.
Georgia State came out with a hightened determination in the first ten minutes of the second half and they rattled off the first three shots. The best of the three came just over a minute into the second half as Allison Reed fired a header which just went over the crossbar.
After surviving the barrage, KSU went back to work, maintaining possession and wearing down the Panthers in the process. The Owls found their chances as Tucker got off the first three Owls' shot of the second half.
KSU's second goal came in the 73rd minute as sophomore transfer Maylee Attin-Johnson netted her first goal as an Owl off a through pass from Marek. Attin-Johnson gathered the pass, took one step to her right and fired into the upper left corner to put KSU up by two goals.
The Owls' final goal of the match came in the 81st minute as Marek gathered a loose ball and launched it from 25 yards out to finish off the scoring and propel KSU to its first victory of the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Staci Pugh earned her first career shutout as she was rarely tested on the night. The Owls out-shot Georgia State 21-10 in the game and 12-7 in the second half.
"It's always nice to start of the season on the right foot," added King. "This win gives our girls confidence as head face a very tough opponent in Florida on Sunday."
The Owls now travel to No. 11 Florida for a 1:30 p.m. match on Sunday afternoon. The Owls and Gators match can be viewed free of charge by accessing www.gatorzone.com.
