Aug. 25, 2007
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Caitlin Dingle wrapped up Kennesaw State's preseason play in style as the junior forward scored both goals in the Owls' 2-0 win over Georgia State on Saturday night at the KSU Soccer Complex.
The match, which was once again played in three 30-minute periods instead of the usual 45-minute halves, saw the Owls (2-0) take the lead in the 18th minute when Dingle completed a 360 around a Panthers defender, took one touch and rocketed a shot past a diving Megan McDonald from 15 yards out to score her second goal of the preseason.
The Rockdale, Georgia native concluded the scoring when she gathered a deflection off a Bridget Gaughan corner kick in the 63rd minute of play. After the pass rattled around in the box, Dingle gathered and fired it past Heidi Blankenship to secure the win and give the Owls confidence heading into next weekend's regular season opener against Mississippi State.
"We take pride in our set pieces," said Dingle. "I was lucky to find the loose ball and put it away. We hope to score a lot of goals off our set pieces this season."
Georgia State (0-1) had few prime opportunities to score, but one such chance came in the 54th minute when Kay Harbrueger had her shot rattle off the crossbar after beating a defender down the left side of the field.
Despite the explosiveness of his offense, it was the play of the Kennesaw State defense that really made the Owls' head coach Rob King smile.
"I was quite pleased with how we played tonight," said King. "Georgia State's forwards are strong and physical, so I was happy to see the way our defense shut them down."
The Owls dominated play in the midfield throughout the 90-minute contest and certainly saw their fair share of scoring chances, out-shooting Georgia State 18-3.
Kennesaw State will open its regular season schedule next weekend in the Samford Bulldog Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. The Owls will first take on Mississippi State on Friday night, before playing Samford on Sunday afternoon.
