By: by Matthew Farhadi
Box Score
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team used a strong start and a thrilling finish to win its 2010 season opener over the College of Charleston Cougars, 4-3, on a warm Friday evening at Patriot’s Point Field in Charleston, S.C.
With the Owls staring at adversity during their first match of 2010 it was senior captain Savannah Duet who stepped up for the Black and Gold. Set-up beautifully by Katie Scott and Brittany Vining, Duet was able to knock a shot past Cougar goalkeeper Cricket Wise from just outside the box to put Kennesaw State up for good in the 86th minute.
The goal was extra special for the senior leader, as it was the first goal of her Owls career.
Head Coach Rob King couldn’t have been happier with the result, and he talked about his team overcoming adversity as well.
“This was a great win by the girls tonight. Going a goal down early is tough, but coming back the way we did showed the fight and character that we have on this team.”
Kennesaw State had the early momentum with shots by Kristin Kranick and Brittany Vining that were both saved by Cougars goalkeeper Cricket Wise.
The College of Charleston struck first, scoring in the 11th minute of the match on a goal by Sloane Levin. The Cougars’ Emilie Huser blasted a shot on goal that was saved by Owls senior goalkeeper Staci Pugh, but the rebound trickled away and was put in the back of the net by Levin.
The Owls would bounce back in a big way, scoring back-to-back goals in a span of four minutes starting in the 21st minute to take their first lead of the season, 2-1.
The Black and Gold first tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Alyssa Mahan that came off a cross from Vining. They would then jump in front during the 25th minute of play, when freshman Alma Gardarsdottir picked up right where she left off in the preseason, scoring the first goal of her collegiate career. Thais Gibson and Jade Dempster both assisted on the goal.
The Owls lead would be short lived, however, as the Cougars tied the game in the 46th minute on Levin’s second goal of the match, as she was able to connect off another rebound attempt.
Kennesaw State went back on top, 3-2, in the 56th minute of the match on a goal by Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason All-Conference team member, Kristin Marietta.
Despite the second half lead the Owls once again couldn’t hold it as the College of Charleston, for the third time in the match, tied the score at 3-3 in the 63rd minute on a goal by Hope Atkinson. It looked for awhile like the teams could be headed for an extra session before Duet was able to strike gold with less than five minutes to play.
The win now gives Kennesaw State a 4-3 record in season openers since transitioning to NCAA
Division I in 2004.
The Cougars outshot Kennesaw State 17-15, but the Owls held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Pugh made eight saves in the win.
The Owls will return home as they gear up for their 2010 home opener against Alabama A&M at KSU Soccer Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 22.
In celebrating the first regular season home match being played at KSU Soccer Stadium the first 1,000 fans to enter will receive a commemorative ticket and lanyard. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children in the eighth grade or younger. As with all Owls athletic events, admission is free for all Kennesaw State students.
