By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team finished its exhibition season with an undefeated record after a 1-0 win over the Georgia College & State University Bobcats on Welcome Back Students Night at KSU Soccer Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Junior Kristin Kranick provided the fireworks for the match, scoring in the opening minute of the second half on a pretty pass from classmate Kristin Marietta to give the Owls all of the offense they would need in their second straight shutout.
The play, which originated at midfield, culminated with a cross from the right side by Marietta, who was named to the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference team, inside the box to Kranick, who quickly kicked it past Bobcats goalkeeper Mary Rob Plunkett.
“[Kristin] Marietta pretty much did all the work,” said Kranick, who finished tied with Marietta for third on the Owls in 2009 with four goals. “She just put the ball in a perfect spot and I was able to get a good touch on it to put it in the back of the net.”
The Bobcats defense held tough in the first half as it bent but did not break against the constant Kennesaw State pressure, as Owls head coach Rob King’s squad outshot GCSU 8-1 in the opening period, and held a commanding edge in corner kicks, as well, at 6-0. Overall, the Owls dominated the shots category, 17-2, as well as corner kicks, 10-3.
GCSU had a good opportunity to go ahead in the first half, when a shot by Bobcats freshman Taylor Yee caused Pugh to make a diving save, lunging to her right. That was the only save of the game that was required by an Owls goalkeeper, as Pugh and sophomore Melissa Hutto once again combined for the shutout, each playing one half of action.
After Kranick finally got the Owls on the board in the 46th minute with her first goal of the preseason, Black and Gold kept their foot on the gas for the rest of the contest, as they had several good opportunities to extend their lead, highlighted by four shots from senior midfielder Savannah Duet. Even though Kennesaw State obtained their second straight win by a narrow, 1-0, margin, Kranick believes that the work the team is putting in will soon pay off.
“We have a lot of players that can be goal scorers on this squad, and judging from all the good opportunities we have had over these past two matches I am confident that those opportunities will start turning into goals.”
Coach King mirrored Kranick’s thoughts, and also knows that while his squad is improving, there is still work to be done as the regular season approaches.
“We are getting closer. We made some of the same mistakes that we made in our first match but we are definitely making progress,” Coach King said.
Tuesday’s night’s match garnered a strong turnout, as many Kennesaw State students came out for a tailgate that included free food and Coca-Cola products as part of Welcome Back Students Night.
The Owls kick off the 2010 regular season on Friday, Aug. 20 as they will travel to Charleston, S.C. to take on the College of Charleston. The match has a scheduled start time of 7 p.m. Their home opener is on Sunday, August 22 against Alabama A&M, with a start time of 5 p.m.
