Oct. 3, 2008
Final Stats
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Owls used a two-goal first half lead to pick up their first Atlantic Sun Conference victory, 4-0, over Jacksonville University on Friday night at the KSU Soccer Field.
Even though Jacksonville (5-6-1, 1-2-0) got off the first shot of the game that resulted in a save by KSU goalkeeper, Staci Pugh, it was the Owls who got on the board first when Rachel Baer netted her fifth goal of the year on a pass from Brittany Vining in the second minute of play.
Only a minute later freshman Kristin Kranick picked up her third goal of the season when she netted a ball to the bottom right side of the net past a diving Alexa Rooney. Vining picked up her second assist of the night while Baer also helped out on putting the Owls up 2-0.
The Black and Gold out-shot the Dolphins 12-4 in the first half and KSU had four more opportunities to score on corner kicks but they were all batted away by the JU defense.
"Our girls executed what we've been working on in practice," said head coach Rob King. "And that is getting our younger players more composed and forcing less turnovers."
Jacksonville opened up the second half on a breakaway by A-Sun preseason All-Conference Kerri Zwikker, but was stopped by Sadjr Williams and the Owls defense.
Pugh picked up a save on another attempt by Zwikker after a JU corner kick.
Katie Scott and Baer had several attempts on goal, including a back-kick from Scott that was blocked only to be rebounded by Baer whose shot sailed to the back post, barely missing the back of the net.
The scoreless second half was stopped by Baer who scored in the 56th minute off a corner kick from Caroline Austin, who leads the conference in assists. The ball landed between several players but it was Baer who tapped it in past Rooney to put KSU up 3-0.
"In practice we've really been working on getting the whole team connected," said Baer. "We have been working hard on closing the gap and we definitely did that tonight."
The Dolphins almost blew the KSU shutout but Jessica Kalonji blocked the shot which was rebounded by JU's Jelena Vrcelj who sent a shot sailing toward a waiting Pugh for the save.
Vining picked up her fourth goal of the year, unassisted, in the 59th minute on a shot from 15 yards out, putting KSU up 4-0.
The Baer-Scott duo almost struck again when Baer's shot was blocked by Dolphin defense and was rebounded by Scott whose shot sailed high.
Savannah Duet almost picked up her first goal of the year on a breakaway on the left side on a pass from Scott.
As the clock winded down, the Owls were able to hold on to the shut out and picked up their first A-Sun win of the season.
"We weren't worried about getting the win," said King. "I was really pleased with the girls play. They took their chances well and pulled out a solid victory at home."
"It felt amazing to pick up our first conference win," said Baer. "We've been working hard and we got the result we wanted."
The Owls look for their second A-Sun victory on Sunday afternoon when they take on North Florida at 2:00 p.m. at the KSU Soccer Field.
