Sept. 10, 2006
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's soccer team received goals from Mandy Nolin, Maylee Attin-Johnson and Sara Clapham as the Owls defeated Jacksonville State, 3-0, at the KSU Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
After playing two double-overtime contests prior to the match, KSU was pleased to be able to wrap up the victory in regulation time.
"It was nice to finish this game out in 90 minutes," said head coach Rob King. "Our girls had been tired from our previous two matches (vs. College of Charleston and Wofford), so it was nice to come out and secure a 3-0 win."
The Owls (3-1-1) dominated play throughout the match, as they out-shot the Gamecocks (1-5-0) 34-4 in the match. More than half of KSU's shots, 21 to be precise, came in the first half. The Owls also held an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Despite controlling the flow of play in the first 45 minutes of play, the Owls had a hard time putting the ball in the back of the net. The first great KSU opportunity came in the 18th minute as senior Laura Tucker fired a shot from 20 yards out that JSU goalkeeper Kate Kelly punched over the crossbar.
About a minute later, senior Rebecca Hall had a go at goal as she placed a header over Kelly, but a bit too high as it too caromed off the bar.
Then, just before halftime, the Owls finally hit pay-dirt, as Nolin tapped in a cross from a corner kick by Stephanie Grezeszkowiak to give KSU an early 1-0 advantage.
"I was pleased with how the girls remained patient in the first half," added King. "We were bound to score a goal after putting up 21 shots in the period."
Kennesaw State didn't waste any time after halftime, as with just a minute into the second half, Attin-Johnson netted her second goal of the season off a pass from Clapham. Attin-Johnson's shot from 16 yards out deflected off Kelly and rolled over the goal line for the Owls' second tally of the match.
The third and final goal came in the 66th minute, as Clapham found herself in the right spot at the right time. Kelly struggled to clear a loose ball, which found its way to Clapham, who put it away for her first goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Staci Pugh was rarely tested in the match as she recored her third straight shut-out. The Fayetteville, Georgia native was credited with only one save as well as breaking up a clear Jacksonville State breakaway late in the second half.
Kelly finished the match with 15 saves for the Gamecocks.
The Owls will be back in action on Thursday night as they host the West Georgia Wolves for a 7 p.m. match at the KSU Soccer Complex.
