Nov. 8, 2007
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State received goals in the 13th and 20th minute and held on from there as the Owls downed East Tennessee State, 2-0, on Thursday night at the KSU Soccer Complex to advance to the Atlantic Sun Conference finals.
The Owls (16-3) redeemed themselves after losing to the Buccaneers, 3-1, earlier in the season, which stood as the only blemish in KSU's conference record.
"Our defense played very well tonight," said head coach Rob King. "ETSU had a couple of good crosses early in the match, but after that point, we contained the Buccaneers and our offense really got going."
Maylee Attin-Johnson started the scoring by notching her sixth goal of the season after taking a pass from Beth Meadors and racing down the field. After Attin-Johnson cruised past three ETSU (11-6-3) defenders, she fired a shot into the upper netting of the goal to put KSU ahead, 1-0.
Then seven minutes later, A-Sun First Team selection Caitlin Dingle put home her 16th goal of the year to send the Owls home victorious. After breaking past the Buccaneer defense, the Rockdale, Ga. native pounced on a lucky bounce off ETSU's Kim Jones and quickly sent the ball to the lower right corner.
KSU controlled play throughout the match, out-shooting the Bucs, 23-5 for the 90 minutes and 12-0 in the second half. Dingle led the Owls' attack, finishing the game with nine shots, while Sara Clapham and Beth Meadors each posted four.
ETSU's best scoring chance came in the 15th minute when Kelly Brinkman fired on net, but Owls' keeper Katie Piotrowski was up to the task, going to her right to making a diving save. On the night, the freshman goalie was forced to make just two saves while recording her ninth shutout of the season.
"We are pleased with the win tonight, but we know our work isn't done. We will face a tough opponent in the finals and hopefully things will come out our way," added King.
The Owls advance to the championship match for the first time in their three-year history in the A-Sun. Kennesaw State will face-off against Mercer, who advanced to the finals with by winning in penalty kicks, 5-3, over Belmont earlier in the day. The Owls and Bears met just last week, as KSU came away with a 3-1 victory and the regular season title.
The championship match is scheduled to kick-off on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. from the KSU Soccer Complex and can be seen on A-Sun.TV.
