Sept. 2, 2008
Final Stats
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ROME, Ga. - Scoring her first goal of the year, Sarah Marek helped the Owls to a 1-0 non-conference win over Berry College on Tuesday afternoon at Ford Field.
While the Owl's (3-0-1) out-shot Berry 8-4 in the first half, both teams remained scoreless. Rachel Baer got the first shot of the game off but it was saved by BC's goalkeeper, Vanessa Zimmerman, who had six saves in the match.
KSU got close to scoring on several occasions that included a cross from Jessica Kalonji to Baer who just missed off the crossbar that went out for an open kick in the 17th minute. Just two minutes later Marek sent a shot just wide right off a looper from Caroline Austin.
"I think the girls were still tired from the weekend," said associate head coach Frank Pitt. "They struggled a bit in the first half but really picked up the intensity in the second half."
Even though the Lady Vikings (1-1) got off the first shot of the second half by Kate Ross that sailed wide right, the Owls were the first to score. Taking advantage of a foul on the left side, Austin sailed a free-kick to Marek for the put-in and her first goal of the season during the 67th minute.
"It was hard to score," said Marek. "But Caroline put a good ball in. After that all we had to do was hang on and work them down."
KSU had several more opportunities to score in the second half as they out-shot Berry 9-3. Yasha Blount had two nice attempts but were both saved by Zimmerman.
As the clock winded down, the Owls were able to hang on for the 1-0 win while Jamie Moroney picked up her first win as goalkeeper.
Kennesaw State returns to action on Friday, September 5th when they travel to Seattle, Wash. to compete in the Husky/Nike Invitational hosted by the University of Washington. The Owls first match is against the 2005 National Champion Portland Pilots at 4:30 p.m. EST and then they take on host Washington at 12:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, September 7th.
