Oct. 29, 2008
Final Stats
GALLERY
KENNESAW, Ga. - Freshman Katie Schwartz scored the game-winning goal for the Owls on Wednesday night as Kennesaw State defeated the first-place Mercer Bears, 2-1, in the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season finale at the KSU Soccer Complex.
In front of a crowd that neared one-thousand as the Owls (11-4-4, 6-2-2 A-Sun) celebrated Senior Night, Schwartz scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 81st minute when she rebounded a shot from Rachel Baer that deflected off Mercer goalkeeper, Jean Worts. The goal was Schwartz's first of the season.
"Scoring my first collegiate goal was amazing," said a smiling Schwartz. "This was a big game and we played really well together."
Even though both teams were scoreless through the first half, Mercer (10-5-3, 7-2-1 A-Sun) applied pressure on the offensive end as they out-shot Kennesaw State, 5-2.
"We looked a little uncomfortable out there," said head coach Rob King. "We were a little jittery in the first 15 minutes but we slowly settled down after that."
The Mercer defense was also on-point in the first half as they blocked several of KSU's attempts, including what looked to be the Owls first goal on a shot from Shelby Cosby from five-yards out.
The Black and Gold broke the scoreless tie when they went up, 1-0, in the 57th minute after Mercer goalkeeper, Worst, blocked a shot from Baer which was then knocked in by a Mercer player.
The Owls had another chance moments later as a shot from Beth Meadors almost saw the back of the net. The KSU senior, one of five honorees during the night, took a pass from Katie Scott that was blocked by Olivia Tucker. Meadors then got her own rebound, but it was saved by worst.
With KSU up 2-0, Jessica Kalonji and the Owls defense showed what they were made of and held off any Bear offensive threats, only allowing Mercer just one shot before the Owls lost the shutout in the 89th minute when Heather Minting scored her second goal of the season off a free kick that landed just beyond the reach of Ski's Jamie Mooney.
Kennesaw State's victory enabled the Owls to clinch second-place in the standings and earn a bye in the first round of the conference tournament next weekend.
"This was an important win for us," said King. "It is crucial for us to sit the first round of the conference tournament and be able to see what the other teams have in store for us."
The Owls celebrated Senior Night before the match as Sarah Clapham, Sarah Marek, Baer, Meadors and Kalonji were all honored for their dedication to the KSU soccer program.
For information on the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, go to the A-Sun website at: http://www.atlanticsun.org/wsoccer/championship/
