Sept. 7, 2008
Final Stats
SEATTLE, Wash. - The Owls held the University of Washington to only one first half goal as they fell 2-0 in their final match of the Husky/Nike Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Husky Soccer Field.
While holding the Owls (3-2-1) to only one shot in the first half, Washington (4-0-0) got off eight shots and four shots on goal that included the only goal in the 41st minute from Melissa Beal. McKenna Waitley took a shot that was deflected by Staci Pugh that landed in front of Beal for the put in.
The Owl defense started the game off strong, including two diving saves from Pugh.
The Huskies scoring attempt was once again stopped by the Kennesaw State defense when Kate Deines' header off a free kick on the right side was denied by Pugh.
"The defense was constantly under a lot of pressure," said head coach Rob King. "Even when we won some balls it was panicky. The effort was definitely there and we will continue to improve."
Kristin Kranick took the first shot of the game for the Owls off a pass from Rachel Baer that sailed high over the Husky goalkeeper, Kari Davidson.
Before the lone goal of the first half, the Huskies tried to produce two goals off of corner kicks but were stopped short by the Owl defense. Bridget Gaughan and Jessica Kalonji knocked away a ball that landed in between them while Caroline Austin swatted away another shot.
Down 1-0, KSU had a chance to tie the game up in the second half after a Washington foul that resulted in a KSU free kick from 15 yards out that landed in front of Lauren Ruffini who crossed it to Alyssa Mahan. With one defender on her, Mahan sent a shot toward the goal that was blocked by a Husky defender.
After a controversial call on the Owls that resulted in a penalty kick, Veronica Perez put the Huskies up 2-0 on a shot that sailed into the right side of the goal in the 62nd minute.
Baer almost put the Owls on the board on a breakaway off a pass from Kranick. UW's Davidson made a diving save to keep the Huskies up 2-0.
Pugh kept the Owls within two when she made a save off a shot from Faustine Dufka, the first of her career.
Washington's Megan Melby had the last shot of the game that sailed high.
Pugh ended the game with eight saves while UW out-shot the Owls 17-4.
"We learned a lot from Friday to today," said junior defender, Gaughan. "We just have to take the positive and work on building from there."
Portland was the tournament champion while Danielle Foxhoven received the Offensive MVP.
Kennesaw State returns to action next weekend when they compete in the Academy Sports Shootout in Spartanburg, S.C. The Owls first match is against Furman on September 12th at 5:00 p.m. followed by a 4:00 p.m. contest against host Wofford on the 14th.
