By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. – On Sunday afternoon head women’s soccer coach Rob King celebrated Alumni Day with the annual match between the current squad and the past Owl greats. And with a day that welcomed back past stars, it was also a day in which the program bid a fond farewell to the stadium they called home for the past eight years.
“The Alumni Game is always a great event for us and our program,” said King, who established the event in 2003, a year after the first Owls team hit the field. “We always knew we wanted this to grow into something special and through the years it has. It is especially nice for the coaching staff to see the former players return and see the connection between the older players and our current team.”
In between the laughs and hugs there was about 60 minutes worth of soccer played at the KSU Soccer Complex as the current squad defeated the Alumni Team on penalty kicks after playing to a 5-5 tie in regulation. Kristin Marietta, who also scored in regulation, brought home the victory for the 2010 Black and Gold. The current Owls also received goals from Sophia Blanco, Savannah Duet and two from Brittany Vining.
“It’s hard to believe we won’t be playing here anymore,” reflected King moments after the match. “We had a lot of good times, played some exciting matches and did a lot of winning here, something we’re looking forward to carrying over to the new stadium.”
Among the former players returning for Sunday’s match were Alyssa Saylor, Rebecca Hall, Alison Johns, Jessie Fream, Rachel Baer, Laura Gantt, Stephanie Grzeszkowiak, Jessica Kalonji, Lindsay Smith, Whitney Marler, Jenae Gzehoviak, Beth Meadors and Abby Hirsch.
“This is great coming back and seeing everyone,” said the Owls first All-American Jessie Fream, who played in 2002 and 2003. “There are so many wonderful memories here and seeing Coach King and everyone again makes it a very special day.”
The current Owls will move into their new, state-of-the-art digs, the KSU Soccer Stadium, in August with next year’s 2011 Kennesaw State Alumni Game scheduled to be played next spring in the new facility.
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Coach King interviews Jenae Gzehoviak. |
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Rachel Baer talks about the Women's Soccer Alumni Game. |
