Sept. 21, 2007
Box Score
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KENNESAW, Ga. - Maylee Attin-Johnson scored off a free kick in the second half to give the Owls a 1-0 win over the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Friday evening at the KSU Soccer Complex.
Looking to move two games over .500, the Owls (4-2) and the Blazers (4-1-1) battled equally until the 73rd minute when Attin-Johnson scored her first goal of the season. The Owls junior took a right side, free kick from Bridgett Gaughan and slipped a ground ball past a sliding Kate Blanekenship for the lone goal of the match.
"This was a very good win for us over an opponent ranked in our region," said Kennesaw State head coach Rob King. "They [UAB] had already picked up wins against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, and are a very well-coached team with excellent players."
Freshman goalkeeper Katie Piotrowski, playing in front of her mother who made the trip from New Jersey to Kennesaw to watch her daughter, recorded her second consecutive shutout in the best performance of the rookie keeper's young career.
"I think we should have her mother come in for more games," quipped King. "For a freshman keeper to preserve the shutout with the number of tough saves she made was remarkable. I am quite proud and pleased."
Both teams had opportunities in the first half, but it was the Blazers who challenged Piotrowski early and often with a pair of solid scoring chances in the first six minutes of the match.
Justine Hardigan gave UAB, ranked No. 9 in the region, its first chance with a 30-yard shot that the Owls rookie easily scooped up. However, less than a minute later Danya Barsalona ripped a point-blank shot that Piotrowski stopped with a diving effort to her left side.
Kennesaw State had an opportunity of their own to score when, in the 19th minute, Annie Phillips broke past a pair of UAB defenders before a sliding Blankenship rushed Phillips, cut down her angle and made a sliding save on the would-be goal.
"To come out with a tough win against a good opponent says a great deal about our young team," added King. "There wasn't any let down on either side of the ball, it was a solid, solid match throughout."
The Owls will be back in action on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. when they host Elon at the KSU Soccer Complex.
