Sept. 7, 2007
Box Score
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Playing with ten players for the majority of the match and trailing at halftime, Kennesaw State erupted for three second-half goals, including Caitlin Dingle's game-winner with eight minutes remaining, as the Owls downed Alabama, 3-2, on Friday night at the UA Soccer Complex.
"We came together as a team tonight," said a boastful head coach Rob King. "We battled all game long and it was a great road win, especially over a team such as Alabama."
Dingle became the hero of the match in the 82nd minute when she scored her second goal of the game on a shot from just outside the 18 yard box. The Rockdale, Georgia native gathered the ball and fired it under the near post giving Kennesaw State its first victory of the season and their first-ever over a Southeastern Conference opponent.
"It was a great win for us, especially considering we were on the road and facing a quality opponent." shouted a joyful Dingle.
KSU (1-2) was reduced to ten players after midfielder Maylee Attin-Johnson was sent off in the 37th minute with the Owls already trailing 1-0.
"We played about as perfect a game as you can play with 10 players," added King. "I was very proud of the way our girls hung in tonight."
The Crimson Tide (2-1) took the early lead when Rosaly Petriello beat her defender down the left side of the field and fired a ball past a diving Katie Piotrowski. Alabama out-shot the Owls 9-2 in the first stanza and controlled the action for the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw a rejuvenated and energetic KSU squad control the tempo and tie the game when Dingle scored her first goal of the season in the 54th minute when her 30 yard shot sailed over Bama keeper Justine Bernier.
Alabama answered back in the 67th minute when Jordan O'Banion's unassisted goal gave the Crimson Tide a 2-1 lead.
The Owls didn't waste time responding as Beth Meadors scored five minutes later after receiving a pass from Savannah Duet and firing it to the near post, knotting the game at 2-2.
Kennesaw State moves to 8-1 all-time against teams from the state of Alabama.
The Owls will next play on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. as they host Wofford in the 2007 home opener at the KSU Soccer Complex. All fans will be admitted for $1, while all KSU faculty and students are admitted for free.
