By: by Jessica Steadman
Box Score
MACON, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team proved why they were picked as the league’s preseason favorite, defeating Mercer, 1-0, on Saturday night in their Atlantic Sun Conference opener at Bear Field.
The match marked the A-Sun opener for both teams, with the Owls (2-3-0, 1-0-0) entering the game being picked the league’s preseason favorite while the Bears (2-3-1, 0-1-0) were picked to finish second.
Both teams battled hard throughout the match and even though Mercer out-shot KSU, 7-2, it was the Owls that came out victorious with help from Jade Dempster who scored for the second straight game off a free kick that sailed over MU keeper, Jean Worts in the 11th minute.
The Bears had several opportunities in the first half to tie the game, but came up short after Lauren Johnson and Jessie Kupstas both had shots on goal that resulted in saves by KSU keeper, Staci Pugh.
Maylee Attin-Johnson had the Black and Gold’s only other shot on goal in the game in the 35th minute that gave Worts her only save of the match. Pugh had three saves in the first half.
In the second half, the Kennesaw State defense really stepped up, only allowing the Bears to take two shots, one from Kacie Hudson that gave Pugh her fourth and final save of the match. Mercer had several other opportunities to score, coming up short on three corner kicks.
Freshman Melissa Hutto made her KSU debut, coming in the last three minutes of action as the Owls keeper.
The Owls return home to host Samford on Friday, Sept. 18 at the KSU Soccer Complex. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
